READY Steady Cook star Gino D’Acampo will be crowned king of the jungle in this year's I'm a Celebrity... , says last year's contestant Timmy Mallett.

Cookham resident Timmy, 54, has tipped the chef to win the hit ITV show ahead of How Clean is Your House's Kim Woodburn and snooker legend Jimmy White.

Timmy, who appeared in the eighth series of the popular programme, told the Bucks Free Press that his favourite contestant was Hollywood actor George Hamilton.

He said:"George was very entertaining, he brought a great sense of humour.

“I think the fact so many people have walked out has made it a bit different this year.

"It's certainly been good to watch, to see them in the camp it's like your back in there. There's been plenty of twists which you would expect too.

“You need to have people who can laugh at themselves and what they are doing.”

He added:“It's wonderful to see people in the camp in tears over something silly.”

One of the best moments in the programme was Katie Price's live trial in the vat of goo, Timmy said.

Timmy, who once topped the pop charts with 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini', said: “It reminded me of Kilroy getting that and it was hilarious. It's like the old custard pie in the face, that's why it's funny.”

The former children's television presenter turned artist said it was “disappointing” to see the former model walk out.

He said the best way to approach the tasks are with “ a sense of humour and a bit of perspective”

but the toughest element of being on the show is coping with the other personalities.

“The challenge of dealing with other people who don't have a sense of humour and can be quite bitter and right in your face, that's a challenge,” he said.

Triumphing in the bush tucker trials was a high point in his time in the Australian jungle, Timmy said.

“There's a wonderful sense of achievement, I have it done it myself which I'm very proud of.”

Despite the host of celebrities on show, Ant and Dec are the real stars, he said.

“What we love on it is the comments from Ant and Dec, they really make it absolutely wonderful.”

The show will continue to be a hit with viewers for years to come, he believes, but fans of the former Wacaday star will be disappointed if they expect to see him make another appearance on the show next year.

He said: “I'm really delighted to have done it, but would I go back again? Absolutely not.”