Rod Blagojevich Won’t Be King Of The ‘Celebrity’ Jungle

Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s spot in the jungle is up for grabs after a federal judge refused to allow him to leave the country on Tuesday.

The politician was slated to join nine other celebrities on “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” — a “Survivor”-like NBC reality competition set to shoot in Costa Rica.

“I don’t think this defendant fully understands and I don’t think he could understand … the position he finds himself in,” U.S. District Judge James Zagel said of Blagojevich after he refused to modify the politician’s bail in order for him to travel, The Associated Press reported.

But Blagojevich said he was very aware of the position he is in.

“I’m fully aware of what the allegations are and I know what the truth is concerning me and I know that I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong,” Blagojevich said following the ruling.

Blagojevich might be ousted from the jungle, but NBC said they are looking forward to the competition in Costa Rica.

“NBC is disappointed in the court’s decision today regarding Rod Blagojevich’s participation on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ but excited about the casting announcement for the show this Friday,” a rep for the network said in a statement released to Access Hollywood. “There are no plans to move the show to a location in the United States.”

The former governor was removed from office in January after an arrest on federal corruption charges that included allegations of a plot to sell the state’s empty senate seat following President Barack Obama’s departure from the position.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, “American Idol” contestant Sanjaya Malakar and “The Hills” stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are headed to the jungle. And according to OK! Magazine, Janice Dickinson – who competed on the UK version of the show – Geraldo Rivera and Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman will also fill out the cast.

“I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” premieres on NBC on June 1.

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