Horse racing jockey Frankie Dettori now looks set to enter Celebrity Big Brother house tonight, despite previously denying his involvement.
The 41-year-old Italian was first linked to the show in early December by The Daily Star, who suggested he was looking for a way to supplement his income after being banned from the sport for substance abuse.
His agent Pete Burrell subsequently rubbished the report, insisting that Dettori had ‘no plans’ to become a CBB housemate and that he wouldn’t be in the UK while it is on air this month.
However, The Telegraph now suggests that he’s changed his mind and will take part after all.
A source close to the sportsman informed the broadsheet newspaper that he plans to donate part of his undisclosed fee to three charities: The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy and DAFA (Direct Aid For Africa).
Commentators have expressed concern over the move, with The Guardian’s racing editor Tony Paley labelling it “the biggest gamble of his career”.
Dettori was handed a six-month suspension from racing after failing a drug test at a Paris racecourse in September last year. He will not be able to ride again until May.
Interesting! Could be that BB threw a lot more money at him after losing Jim Davidson?