John Leslie has decided not to appear in this years series of I’m A Celebrity aftre hearing that his ex girlfriend Abi Titmuss has been paid £150,000 to make an appearance in the jungle.

A TV insider told The People: “John couldn’t handle the intensity of being stranded in the jungle with Abi after everything that’s happened between them.

“For him, doing the show was meant to be a fresh start. But with Abi there, he felt it would be like stepping backwards.”

The insider added: “Viewers would still think of them as a couple but John wants to do something without her.”

Former nurse Abi has gone on a crash diet after signing her I’m A Celeb deal last week. And Abi has told pals that she fancies cheeky presenter Declan Donnelly.

Our insider revealed: “Abi thinks Dec is really cute. She’s had her eye on him for a while and thinks that this could be her chance.

“Abi will probably make her move at the aftershow party which is usually a real booze-up.

And she’s promised that she’ll sex up this year’s showafter last year’s let-down when nobody stripped off or got saucy.”

Pals of John Leslie have revealed that he intends to make a Michael Barrymore type comeback in this years series of I’m A Celebrity’.

A friend of Leslie’s reportedly said: “John wants to get back into showbiz and hopes I’m A Celebrity will give him the platform. Michael proved there is redemption through reality TV. John hopes the public will warm to him in the same way.”