Big Brother want to make Tyson Fury their biggest ever housemate.

Producers of the reality TV show approached the 6ft 9in boxer from Wilmslow to take part in the latest celebrity series, which starts this week.

Channel 5 want to build on the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion’s popularity after he became a prime time star in 2011.

Fury rejected the offer because he was due to fight in Blackpool at the end of January, meaning the show would fall right in the middle of his training camp.

That fight has since been cancelled at the Winter Gardens and Big Brother are still keen on the 23-year-old.

Fury became a major hit for Channel 5 last year, heralding prime time boxing’s return to terrestrial television.

His British and Commonwealth title clash with Dereck Chisora in July drew in around three million viewers – making him a household name in the UK.

And his third-round knockout of Neven Pajkic in Manchester in November confirmed his status as one of the most exciting talents in boxing.

Channel 5 hopes he can become a natural successor to Ricky Hatton and transcend the ring as a celebrity too.

They have been keen to get in on the ground level, throwing their support behind him even before he won the British title.

He has already been a guest on daytime show The Wright Stuff and Big Brother is an opportunity to give him a much wider reach.

Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty enjoyed major success on the show last year.

The Salford traveller was crowned the winner in September, ahead of Kerry Katona.

Fury was then approached to be on the next series having already made a name for himself with his outspoken ways.

He had to apologise after saying he would ‘kill’ Chisora ahead of their clash at Wembley Arena.

A source close to the fighter said: “There were talks months ago and an offer was made. There is a possibility that he could go on in the future.”

Fury and his wife, Paris, endured a scare last month when their seven-week old son Prince was admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis. He had to be resuscitated three times and was in intensive care for two weeks.

The fright naturally disrupted his preparations for his January fight and discussions are now under way for a new date.

Fury hopes to challenge for a world title before the end of the year against WBA champion Alexander Povetkin.