Thorpe films pilot of new TV show

Ian Thorpe has launched his television career.

The 27-year-old former Australian Olympic swimming champion, who retired from the sport nearly four years ago, filmed the pilot episode of a food, drink and chat show at Star City in Sydney yesterday.

Sir Richard Branson was among the stars featured in the episode that Thorpe will use to pitch to television bosses.

Thorpe told The Daily Telegraph: "I'm very lucky as I have spent time getting to know Richard so I was able to call him and ask him if he would take part and he said yes."

Branson added: "We got to know each other in a swimming pool near here when I beat him in a race over 50m last year. It was a fair race - we had his legs tied together and his arms behind his back.

"Seriously, after that we have come to know each other and he told me he was doing this show and I loved the idea and wanted to help."