PERU Two drug mule Michaella McCollum is in talks to star in the next series of Big Brother.

Michaella and pal Melissa Reid made headlines in August 2013 when they were caught trying to smuggle 11kg of cocaine, worth £1.5million, from Peru to Madrid.

6 Michaella could be returning to our screens on Big Brother Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures

And now the ex-convict, 24, is in "advanced talks" for the civilian version of the Channel 5 show which is currently on the hunt for fame-hungry wannabes.

A source revealed: “Michaella has made no secret of her dream to become a reality TV star.

“She’s spent the last six months trying to build up her profile and her image – and just days ago she was even snapped on the beach in a very revealing swimming costume.

6 Drugs mule Michaella McCollum showcased her toned figure on her Spanish beach holiday Credit: iCelebTV

“It’s all part of her bid to get her name out there in the lead up to returning to our screens – this time on an entertainment show, not BBC news.

“Big Brother producers have been chatting to her about getting her on the next series of the show, which is a pairs theme.

6 Food packages seized by police containing cocaine found in Michaella and Melissa's luggage Credit: Reuters

"Channel 5 would have loved to sign up Melissa as well, but she isn't interested in courting fame and just wants to get on with her life."

6 Show bosses think Michaella would bring plenty of drama to the programme

Related stories PRISON THINMATE Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum relaxes on Spanish beach in green swimsuit Drug smuggler watches the rugger Peru Two drugs mule Michaella McCollum cheers on Ireland wearing just a rugby shirt and high heels Exclusive DOUBLE TROUBLE Calum Best, Jamie O'Hara, James Arthur and Kim Kardashian's ex Ray J could have 'sex secrets' exposed as former fling and Playboy model Carla Howe and her sexy twin sign up for Big Brother HOLIDAY ROMANCE Marco Pierre White Jr 'in talks' to appear on Ex On The Beach after raunchy antics on last year's Big Brother WHAT ARE THEY UP TO? CBB's Kim Woodburn meets Playboy model Carla Howe for a meeting about secret TV project

Michaella was previously in talks to join Celebrity Big Brother after she was released from a Peruvian jail last April.

She's not afraid to be in the public eye having been snapped earlier this year supporting Ireland during their clash with France wearing just a rugby shirt and towering heels.

She was also pictured holidaying in Spain last month in a host of skimpy outfits.

The pair appeared on Channel 4 documentary Brits Behind Bars: Cocaine Smugglers which detailed how drug mules are trained.

6 Melissa, who was Michaella's accomplice, is 'less excited by the showbiz world'

Michaella, from Northern Ireland, and Melissa, from Glasgow, spent three years inside a mosquito-infested cell with scores of other women.

They claimed they had been forced into carrying the drugs by an armed gang.

Calls were quickly made for the two friends to be flown back home to their families as many feared the girls were nothing more than terrified drug mules.

6 The girls were sentenced to more than eight years in prison Credit: AP:Associated Press

But their story soon began to unravel and confessions later followed that they knew what they were doing all along.

Melissa confessed: “I made a conscious decision to do it and no one forced me.”

Stories then broke of the girls’ wild-partying days on the drug-fuelled island of Ibiza where Michaella worked as a nightclub hostess.

A Channel 5 spokesperson declined to comment.