SHANE Warne was bitten for taking a pop at Steve Waugh, but now he’s received a real bite from an anaconda after sticking his head in a tank full of snakes while on reality TV.

Australia’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker was widely condemned for labelling Waugh “the most selfish cricketer” he’s played with while on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

Thecomments were slammed by Test legends Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, who sprang to the defence of their former skipper and hailed his influence in building an all-conquering team.

Oblivious to all of that, Warne on Thursday night plunged headfirst into a tank of snakes — and scored a nasty snake bite to the head for his troubles.



After bravely facing boxes filled with African clawed frogs, scorpions, Madagascan hissing cockroaches and rats in search of stars, Warne is presented with a box of snakes.

Host Dr Chris Brown warns the legendary spinner that with the scent of rat on his skin, the snakes could easily think he is their next meal. As Shane — who once cried because his daughter would not let him watch the Vince Vaughn comedy Dodgeball — lowers his head into the box, an aggressive anaconda strikes.

I’ve got a bad feeling about this ... Source: Channel 10

While hunger pangs gnaw at the stomachs of his camp mates, Shane battles his own pain in the quest to secure a star.

While the snakes used are not venomous, they are more than capable of delivering a nasty bite — and Warne, who believes that ancient alien experimentation turned monkeys into humans, is absolutely terrified of the creatures.

“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,” executive producer Stephen Tate told theDaily Telegraph.

“When Shane puts his mind to a task, he won’t let anything stop him.”

The Daily Telegraph reports that medics treated the strike area with antiseptic and will monitor Warne for any signs of infection.

“The box contained anacondas, rat snakes and corn snakes. The juvenile anaconda is the one that actually struck Shane. It’s non-venomous but very aggressive. Anacondas have 100 rear-facing teeth. Being bitten by one is like getting 100 hypodermic needles at once,” a Network Ten spokesperson told news.com.au.

With a medic present at every trial, Warne received treatment as soon as the trial ended - and while he’s been left with some small marks, there will be no permanent scarring.

It’s been a rough week for the contestants on Ten’s reality series, who are all showing signs of stress: just yesterday, veteran actor Val Lehman collapsed and vomited immediately after winning a strenuous Tug of War challenge.