Nice to meet you Mrs Blair

Reality show "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here," has not even begun - yet two contestants already appear to be at war.

Lauren Booth, feisty journalist and outspoken sister-inlaw of Tony Blair fired the opening salvo in war of words with David Gest, the flamboyant former husband of Liza Minnelli. Booth, 39, said the plastic surgery enthusiast had an "ironing board face" and warned that he might "melt in the jungle".

Gest, reportedly hit back at a meet and greet session in Australia's Gold coast by saying, "Hello Cherie," referring to her slightly more famous half-sister.

The sixth series begins on ITV1 tonight with a new batch of 10 "famous" contestants battling it out to be crowned king or queen of the jungle.

Producers of the series, in which celebs compete to win meals in a series of bizarre and humiliating challenges, have already revealed that Gest is not at all prepared for life in the Australian jungle.

The concert producer has not once watched the show and has no idea what previous contestants have been put through.

Executive producer Beth Hart said: "He told us that he hasn't seen I'm A Celebrity. We've told him he'll be living in a rainforest, sleeping in a sleeping bag and eating rice and beans.

"We've told him quite a few times now and we're still not completely sure it's sunk in."

Gest has reportedly upset his other co-stars too with a series of diva-like demands including insisting on never taking his sunglasses off. He had demanded a personal assistant to make his bed.

Jason Donovan has been installed as the early favourite to win the sixth series. Ladbrokes made the Australian the 2-1 favourite to win, while William Hill offered odds of 5-2.

Ex-Busted star Matt Willis and ex- Hear'Say singer Myleene Klass are the second and third placed favourites.

The contestants entered their jungle camp yesterday. They were split into two groups. One half took a kayak into the camp.

The other half of the troupe were tasked with bungee jumping from a helicopter.