I'm a Celebrity's Cliff Parisi asked to enter jungle because of huge tax bill months after turning ITV bosses down

Former soap star called up producers and asked if 'it was too late to say yes'

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! has introduced two new contestants, one of whom originally turned down an appearance earlier this year.

In last night's episode, it was revealed that Coronation Street star Andrew Whyment and former EastEnders actor Cliff Parisi have entered the Australian jungle a few days after this year's series launched.

While Whyment had been rumoured for some time, Parisi was a surprise for viewers – especially considering he rejected an offer of appearing earlier this year.

According to The Sun, Parisi asked producers if he could go on the show after receiving a large tax bill.

“The taxman," Parisi said when asked why he decided to participate. "Yeah, I have got a bill I need to pay. Like everyone at this time of year you go, ‘Oh no! Again. I thought I paid that.'

He continued: “I had a meeting about this earlier on in the year and I thought about it long and hard and said no... Then, as it crept along to September and I got an estimate for my tax, I phoned them up and said, 'Is it too late to say yes?’ So here I am."

It's unknown what Parisi – who stars in Call the Midwife – has been paid to appear on the show, but Whyment is said to have received £100,000.

Find out what the other celebrities have been paid here.

I'm a Celebrity continues nightly on ITV at 9pm.