DARTFORD'S Olympic judo athlete Ashley McKenzie is among new housemates in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The 23-year-old is joined by 12 other people including pop star and actor Martin Kemp, Julian Clary, MC Harvey, Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear and EastEnders' Cheryl Fergison.

Ashley was knocked out in the first round of the men's under 60kg category at London 2012, losing to eventual silver-medallist, Hiroaki Hiraoka.

His mum introduced him to judo when he was 11 years old after he had an altercation with someone over Pokemon cards.

Ashley said: "I wasn't the greatest of kids, I was always fighting.

"Now I'm calm, more mellow and look where it's got me".

During his second day in the house (August 16), Ashley gave Harvey an Olympic work out by teaching him some judo moves.