Women scrum down to capture Gavin Henson

Rugby star Gavin Henson is to tackle a team of hopefuls who will try to win his heart for a new TV dating show.

The Welsh international will star in a UK version of the US hit The Bachelor.

Contestants taking part in the Channel 5 series include various models, a web developer and twins who switched from athletics to property development.

Last year, Henson split from singer Charlotte Church - with whom he has two children.

He has previously featured in the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing and on ITV1 adventure series 71 Degrees North.

The hopefuls will all be living together in a villa in southern Europe with Henson living nearby in a bachelor pad.

Channel 5 said viewers should "expect flirting, bitching and heartfelt emotion as the contestants do whatever it takes to impress Gavin".

Henson said: "I'm so excited to have been cast as The Bachelor as I really feel the time is right for me to find a girl to hopefully spend the rest of my life with.

"I've always been dedicated to my rugby and continue to train hard, but as the season draws to an end I can focus on meeting the right girl."