George Takei is the new favourite to win I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!

The former 'Star Trek' star - who at 71 is the oldest contestant to ever take part in the reality TV show - has taken over from pre-show tips Joe Swash and Simon Webbe as most popular choice to take the Jungle King crown at the end of the series, with bookmakers giving him odds of 5-2.

A spokesperson for bookmakers William Hill said: "We think George made an impressive impact in the opening show.

"The Trekkies may come out in their force to support him, and he seems a perfect quirky candidate for the British public to take to their hearts.

"Programme hosts Ant and Dec have tipped George to win and their record is fairly good, we fully expect to see him in the final few days."

Chat show host-turned-politician Robert Kilroy-Silk is tipped to be the first celebrity to leave the Australian jungle, with odds of 5/2 being offered on his early departure, closely followed by 11/4 on glamour model Nicola McLean being deemed too unpopular to stay.

Betting experts report taking just one bet of over £1 on 66-year-old Robert winning the show.