Blagojevich to compete on 'Apprentice'

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CHICAGO, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Rod Blagojevich's spokesman confirmed Monday the former Illinois governor has joined the cast of the third edition of TV's "Celebrity Apprentice."

"The producers of 'Celebrity Apprentice' invited Rod Blagojevich to participate in the program. The former governor accepted because it offered him a chance to raise money for a favorite charity and the challenge to compete against celebrities in the popular NBC program hosted by Donald Trump," Blagojevich spokesman Glenn Selig said in a statement. "As the governor prepares for trial, he continues to receive offers and opportunities -- most of which he turns down because they are not the right fit. He looks forward to his day in court to clear his name for the sake of himself, his family and the people of Illinois who twice elected him governor."

Blagojevich, 53, was removed from office in January 2009 after being arrested on federal corruption charges.

The new season of "Celebrity Apprentice" is to premiere March 14.

The former politician, who currently serves as host of his own weekly radio program on Chicago's WLS-AM, will be playing to raise money for the Children's Cancer Center of Tampa (Fla.), Selig said.