Shane Warne bitten on head by anaconda on I'm A Celebrity

Cricketing hero Shane Warne is being monitored by medics after an anaconda bit him on the head while filming the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

The legendary spin bowler might be used to bamboozling his opponents, but he wasn't so quick off the mark when it came to dodging a tank of snakes during a Bushtucker Trial.

Warne had said before the show that he is terrified of snakes – perhaps not the wisest thing to admit as, having already braved frogs, scorpions, hissing cockroaches and rats in the trial, he was then presented with a tank of the critters.

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As he lowered his face into the tank to grab stars to win food for the camp, a non-venomous anaconda reared up and sank its fangs into his head.

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The bite was treated with antiseptic fluid and Warne went on to complete the challenge, although medics continue to monitor him for any signs of infection.

"Shane has made no secret that snakes are one of his greatest fears so it's amazing that after being bitten, he bravely continued with the trial," the show's executive producer, Stephen Tate, told the Australian Daily Telegraph. "When Shane puts his mind to a task, he won't let anything stop him."

Despite the terrifying incident, the "Warney", who was reportedly paid AU$3m (£1.5m) to appear on the show, still managed to win nine out of ten stars.

It isn't the first time his jungle antics have made the headlines. On Monday, he was filmed telling campmate Bonnie Lythgoe his theory that human beings evolved from aliens. "Look at those pyramids, Bonnie – you couldn't do them," he said.