FOR most people, 12 days in a rainforest — cold, tired, hungry, with crocodiles, scorpions and unforgiving terrain — would be their idea of a nightmare.

But former boy band singer Max George insists he loved every minute of it and cannot wait to return to outdoor, jungle life in the future.

The 26-year-old, who went to Bolton School before finding fame with The Wanted, is one of eight celebrities taking part in Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.

The new adrenalin-fuelled, six-part ITV series sees the adventurer take the famous faces into the depths of one of the most unforgiving Central American rainforests to compete in an epic 12-day survival mission.

Max, who says he is not scared of anything, will be seen battling it out to be crowned winner of the ultimate endurance test.

The Glad You Came and Walks Like Rihanna singer said: "I thought it would be a lot of fun — especially all the outdoor activities.

"I have always been a Bear Grylls fan.

"For me, doing this was an absolute no brainer.

"I really do respect Bear, I watch his show, I’ve watched his DVDs and I love what he does.

"I find him entertaining and I wanted to have a go.

"I wanted to go out there and have a good time.

"I don’t have any fear of anything.

"I don’t fear heights. I wanted to give everything a go."

Also taking part are actors Emilia Fox and Laurence Fox, double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, TV presenter and singer Jamelia, comedy actor Tom Rosenthal, DJ, model and presenter Vogue Williams and former England international rugby player Mike Tindall.

At the end of every episode Bear will eliminate one person and, at the end of the series, there will be three finalists and ultimately one Mission Survivor.

Max, whose best survival tip is not to overthink, said: "I have done a little bit of camping with my mates in a tent and a bit of fishing by the river.

"I was not a massive outdoor sleeper before I went on this trip.

"I have never been on any excursions or a holiday where I spent time in a forest.

"I loved every minute of it. How often do you get to sleep under the stars and hear the thousand different birds flying over you? It was really fun."

The experience was worlds away from his life as one-fifth of The Wanted, the band which also featured Tonge Moor singer Tom Parker before their split last year.

Despite his only previous outdoor experience being a "bit of camping with my mates and fishing by the river", Max is keen to repeat the experience.

Max, who has landed an acting job on American series Glee, said: "I am so glad I jumped out of that helicopter and slept out in the jungle. I’ve always wanted to do something like this and I hope I can do it again with my mates."

Speaking of the part he enjoyed the most, Max said: "Waking up in the morning to find you are in the jungle. I loved doing the physical tasks. They did focus on things like tying knots, which wasn’t my strongest point.

"The show was about who could build up their character and become stronger throughout the experience."

And the most difficult?

He said: "I’d probably say there were a lot of ropes. It was also quite difficult concentrating on doing one thing in the camp.

"There were eight people chipping in at once. A lot of the time, I sat back as there were the natural leaders already there — the loud ones.

"I let them get on with it but I did chip in if I wanted to. There were quite a lot of cooks sometimes too."

Although too many cooks may have spoilt the jungle broth at times, Max said he did make some good friends, including Vogue — wife of former Westlife singer Brian McFadden.

Max said: "Vogue was an absolute sweetheart. She was really lovely. I’d really love to keep in touch with her and Laurence. I got on with them so well. It was a great experience."

In programme one, the expedition team is transported from their lodgings in a helicopter to a rainforest clearing at the foot of Arenal Volcano.

Throughout the series, they must learn to navigate difficult terrain, build shelter, make fire and eat food that nature provides.

Bear said: "It is a tough gnarly jungle, there are high volcanoes, big rivers and a dramatic coastline that gave us the perfect variety of terrain over six journeys from up high to down low.

"Then of course there are snakes, crocodiles and scorpions in abundance in this most unforgiving of Central American jungles."

Bear Grylls: Mission Survive begins on ITV1 on Friday, February 20, at 9pm.