A new reality show which aims to find a wife for a top footballer is close to being scrapped because producers cannot find a man willing to take part.

Applicants for I Want To Be A WAG, which was tipped to be aired on MTV later this year, are expecting to compete for the affections of a soccer superstar. However, they may be left disappointed because executives have not yet found a single footballer who wants to sign up for the show.

A show source told the Daily Star Sunday: "There have been all sorts of rumours about who the mystery footballer is. But the truth is they haven't got one yet because anyone who is asked runs a mile.

"The girls are dying to know who the object of their desire is going to be so they can start working on their form. They were told the footballer was desperate to meet a beautiful, sexy woman to be his perfect wife - and that he was a huge star. But there really aren't that many eligible young footballers out there.

"Some of the biggest names in the game have already turned down the show and others have been advised against taking part. The show is still very much up in the air."