George Hamilton - George Hamilton's Malaria Secret

George Hamilton agreed to take part in 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' because of a secret heartache.

The 70-year-old actor was devastated when his friend Sean Flynn died in 1970 aged 28 while working in Cambodia.

The journalist - the son of screen legend Errol Flynn - was believed to have been kidnapped and either executed or died of malaria, although his body was never found.

George never got over the tragedy and signed up for the jungle challenge when he learned that 15p from every phone vote goes to this year's charity, Malaria No More UK, which helps provide mosquito nets for African families to help halt the spread of the deadly disease.

Before entering the show, George told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "I have seen the effects of malaria first hand. Sean, my best friend growing up, caught the disease.

"Every life lost is a waste but the loss of Sean had a profound and long-lasting effect on me. I hope my time in the jungle can help raise awareness about our ability to stop deaths from this disease.

"It is a devastating plight - and all the more so because it is wholly preventable and treatable."

A source added: "Not being with his friend really haunted George. He loved Sean and never got over his untimely death."