[Amy]

SOCCER idol Frank McAvennie revealed his fears yesterday that producers have given him the boot from Celebrity Big Brother. The former Celtic and West Ham player, renowned for his love of 'the burdz', was hoping for a last minute reprieve after TV chiefs went cold on the idea of putting him into the house.

But he fears he has been pipped to the post by eccentric racing pundit John McCririck and goalie-turned new age prophet David Icke.

Frank, 45, said: 'It's a big disappointment, especially since they were the ones who approached me.

'They were interested in my past and having me talk about it with housemates.

'But I haven't been given a contract and I fear it's getting a bit late now.'

There are just four days until Thursday's launch of the Channel 4 show. Frank added: 'I was looking forward to it but I'll get over it. I don't think I'll be watching though. I'm looking to go on holiday.'

Macca, who lives with second wife Karen in Newcastle, spent a quiet Christmas and New Year at home with eight-year-old Jake, his son by his first marriage.

It's a far cry from his outrageous champagne lifestyle of the 1980s and early 90s.

He was more than willing to relive his heyday, when he partied with the likes of Elton John and Rod Stewart, for the benefit of reality TV viewers.

He said: 'I am an open book - especially with Scottish people.

'And it would have been nice to be the first Scot on the show. Because that's what it's been lacking so far.'

Speculation had been rife that Macca,whose love of blondes is well-documented, would have charmed statuesque Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen and model Victoria Silvstedt in the house.

He said: 'I just can't understand it. The Big Brother bosses were very positive about making me a part of the show.

'But who knows - maybe John McCririck is better than me with the women - although somehow I doubt it.

'Perhaps David Icke has God on his side and can convert them all.'

Brigitte Nielsen, 42, is a veteran of reality TV. The outrageous 6ft 1in ex-wife of Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone was one of the first to be voted out of Big Brother VIP in her native Denmark in 2003. But it was her recent performance on The Surreal Life, a hit show on US music station VH-1, that really proved her 'reality' credentials.

She spent most of her time naked, a lot of time drunk and ended up romping under the covers with a fellow housemate - golden-toothed rap star Flavor Flav.

'I love to be naked all the time,' she told her fellow housemates. 'That's the European way.'

In one episode, Brigitte drunkenly admitted she'd have sex with anyone if she had enough whisky.

Nielsen, who is divorcing racing driver husband Raoul Mayer, was accused of acting like a porn-star by one of her fellow contestants.

'That was when I was playing naked on the bed with the dog,' she explained.

'But I love animals. What difference does it make whether I am naked or not when I am doing it?' Flav and Brigitte are now planning a new reality show for VH-1 which will feature the unlikely twosome travelling across America till they reach Las Vegas.

Her antics didn't deter Macca from wanting to join the British BB house.He said: 'I get along with most folk. Nobody would have frightened me off.

'And it wasn't about the money. I just thought it would have been good fun.'

Macca says he has been overwhelmed by the number of well-wishers texting him good luck messages for the TV show.

He added: 'Perhaps the Sunday Mail can let them all know I'm not going after all.'

A Channel 4 spokesman claimed too many celebs had wanted to appear. He said: 'We've had an amazing response and we know viewers will enjoy the mixed bag of stars we've signed.'

mailfile Celebrity housemates #SPECULATION has been rife about the final line-up, with 18 names linked with the show.

They include: Red Dwarf star Craig Charles, Sylveste Stallone's ex-wife Brigitte Nielsen, left, former sports commentator and self-proclaimed 'Son of God' David Icke and Channel 4 racing pundit John McCririck.

Others tipped to appear are ex-footballers Mark Bosnich and Lee Chapman; along with glamour girls Victoria Silvstedt, Sam Fox, Caprice, Michelle Marsh and Abi Titmuss.

Others linked to the show include gay rights activist Peter Tatchell; Cherie Blair's lifestyle guru Carole Caplin; Hear'Say singer turned classical pianist Myleene Klass; shamed comic Michael Barrymore; mum Mandy Allwood who miscarried octuplets and Sven Goran Eriksson's lovers Nancy Del Olio and Faria Alam.

Sunday Mail

[Amy]

update of this article here Sunday Mail