Too famous for food rations? Bec and Lleyton Hewitt, Sophie Monk and Michael Clarke among rumoured stars who 'turned down HUGE paycheques' to appear on I'm A Celebrity this year

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! wheeled out its latest crop of contestants earlier this mont, only to leave viewers underwhelmed by the lack of star-power.  

Now, reports claim Channel 10 actually went to extraordinary efforts to cast legitimate celebrities, but couldn't manage to close the deal. 

According to Emerald City, Bec and Lleyton Hewitt were among many stars to turn down what would likely have been a lucrative offer to appear on the show. 

If they had accepted the offer, the tennis glamour couple would have been forced to sleep in the bush, compete for food rations and participate in stomach-churning challenges.  

The publication also alleges that Ten bosses asked Sydney publicist Roxy Jacenko, 40, to appear on the program - but she too turned down the offer.

It's perhaps no surprise Roxy wouldn't be enthusiastic about a reality TV return, given the controversy surrounding her recent appearance on Channel Seven's military-style reality show SAS Australia last year. 

Roxy bravely joined the cast of SAS Australia in June, just six weeks after she fractured her pelvis and hip during a horse-riding accident. 

She chose to quit the show early because of her injury, a decision for which which has been viciously trolled online. 

Emerald City also reported that reality star Sophie Monk, pop sensation Samantha Jade and former Bachelor Matt Agnew also turned down offers to appear on I'm A Celebrity this year. 

Meanwhile, Woman's Day magazine reported last week that retired Australian cricketer Michael Clarke turned down $1million to appear on the show.

The 39-year-old commentator 'politely declined' the offer because he didn't like the idea of eating insects, the publication claimed. 

I'm a Celebrity only has a limited run of four weeks this year, which means Michael knocked back a $250,000-per-week payday.      

Similarly, Daily Mail Australia understands that Bachelor 2020 winner Irena Srbinovska also 'turned down a generous offer' to join I'm A Celebrity.    

'There were talks,' Irena, 31, confessed in November, before admitting she politely declined an offer.

'I think it would have been a lot of fun, however I just got to Perth and I have too much going on right now,' the girlfriend of Locky Gilbert explained.   

This year's I'm A Celebrity participants include Grant Denyer, singer Jack Vidgen and comedian Mel Buttle.

They are joined by The Bachelor's Abbie Chatfield, former AFL star Travis Varcoe and comedian Ash Williams.

I'm a Celebrity continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel 10