ACTOR and King of the Jungle Christopher Biggins has been announced as the host of York Pride 2016.

The TV star, who is a former winner of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, will appear in “An Evening with Christopher Biggins” the night before the festival on Saturday, June 18.

Mr Biggins will talk about his career, being in the jungle, his celebrity friends, panto and more at the Basement Cafe on June 17.

York Pride chair Greg Stephenson said: "It's shaping up to be our best ever event.

"Last year we won a Community Pride award for it and we are looking forward to getting those rainbow flags out there again.

"The parade will be leaving from the Minster at around noon and there will be an open top bus from Transdev.

"There will be a brass band, which is new, plus a 50-metre rainbow flag.

"We will head down to the Knavesmire where there will be loads of stalls and entertainment. It's very much a family friendly event."

Mr Biggins will also be at the Knavesmire where other performers confirmed include X-Factor pair Lloyd Daniels and Jake Quickenden, Angie Brown and York's Beth McCarrthy.

York Pride, which is designed to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and prevent discrimination, is returning for a fifth year.

It is being sponsored by York-based mutual health and wellbeing provider Benenden for a fourth year.

Claire Hetherington, community relations co-ordinator at Benenden, said: “Sponsorship of York Pride is very much a part of our annual community programme for York and we’re pleased to continue our involvement with the group.

"At Benenden we share York Pride’s passion for celebrating diversity, and we value their ethos of equality and inclusion which matches our own.”

York Pride was launched tonight at York St John University's De Grey Lecture Theatre where residents and businesses were encouraged to ‘raise your rainbow’ and get involved.

Sponsors and supporters also spoke about how being involved with York Pride brings benefits for them and their role in the city's society and economy.

Alex Hornby, chief executive of bus operator Transdev, announced all passengers wearing York Pride wristbands can enjoy £1 fares over the weekend.

This is the company's second year backing the festival.

Mr Hornby said: "The feedback we got from our staff and customers encouraged us to get involved."

Organisers have come up with three new ideas for people to promote the festival this year.

Supporters are being encouraged to raise the rainbow 'faster, higher, longer' like an Olympian, in an 'incr-edible' way by cooking and in photography by 'putting yourself in the frame'.

For more information, visit www.yorkpride.org.uk