Former Speaker John Bercow turned down 'I'm A Celebrity' because it would destroy his reputation

Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow has said he turned down I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! because he believes the show is too “trashy”.

The 57-year-old retired Conservative MP - who stepped down as Speaker last year - was rumoured to have been in talks to appear in the most recent series of the jungle reality show, which featured US reality star Caitlyn Jenner and footballer Ian Wright.

But Bercow told Chris Evans' Virgin Radio Breakfast Show: "No, I didn't want it. There was a talent agent who phoned me up and said she understood that I was considering going on the programme. "And I said: 'Well, I'm sorry, but you're quite wrong about that. I'm not considering it. And I wouldn't do so under any circumstances at any time.’”

Read more: Bizarre moment John Bercow bellows 'order' in Italian

Asked why he said: "Because I think it's a trashy program. I think it would trash my brand."

He added: "Actually, I'll give you another reason, I'm very into self protection. And the idea of going in the jungle and taking some risks or experiencing extreme discomfort or horrible taste from having to eat something really disgusting is not for me.

"It's not only undignified, I think it's really unpleasant. And if you have to be honest about yourself and with yourself, it's not me."

Read more: Caitlyn Jenner felt under pressure to get naked in jungle

Other former politicians to have taken part in I’m A Celebrity - which sees celebrities challenged to eat bugs and face live rats and snaked among other things - include former Conservative Health Secretary Edwina Currie in 2014 and former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik in 2010.

Bercow was a Speaker of the House of Commons for a decade from 2009 to 2019.

His wife Sally Bercow appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2011.