A MODEL and footballer has joined Channel 4’s reality TV series Shipwrecked.

Stacey Freeman, who plays for Lewes FC as a defender, made his debut on Monday night as one of the final five to join the show.

Two teams of young castaways, the Sharks and the Tigers, are “shipwrecked” in the Cook Islands and are competing for popularity.

Each week new people have joined and they decide which team they want to be in.

The team with the most castaways at the end of this week will win £50,000.

The Tigers won a swimming relay in episode 11 and they had the chance to first host the five new castaways.

Stacey, 25, who went to Bhasvic in Hove, said on the show: “We are all here for the same reason, whichever team I join I will do my best to help them win.

“I think I bring energy and positivity to the islands.

“I wanted to make what is left of everyone’s time enjoyable. I believed I was picked to be a castaway because of my personality.

“I would like to think production didn’t just see a set of abs and some blue eyes and think ‘yeah, he will do’. I tried to show the real me all the way through the application process.

“I think they just liked the fact I was a gentleman and genuinely cared about others while having a giggle at the same time.

“I joined the show because I will not only get a life-changing experience but a chance to do something not everyone has the opportunity to do.”

Stacey, whose modelling work includes being a body double for Premier League players, also works as a recruitment consultant. His father, Darren, is the Lewes FC manager and and ex-Albion striker.

Stacey revealed he was nervous on his first night on Shipwrecked.

He said: “My first night was very overwhelming. It took a while for everything to soak in but I can tell you now the main thing that sticks out for me is having to sleep on the floor.

“I was tossing and turning for hours but trying to sleep on solid wood is not ideal.

“My parents and friends did not think I would be successful in landing a place on the show. When I broke the news to my parents they were baffled and thought I was pulling their leg.

“However, they soon realised I was not and then went all serious on me and told me I’d better behave myself.

“They are really pleased I have got the opportunity to experience something different.

“My friends were over the moon.

“Prior to Shipwrecked, I was definitely not looking for a relationship. I was in such a happy place and content with my own company but I remember thinking if there is anyone attractive on the show I would not say no.”

Shipwrecked will air on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm.