Five has poached the UK rights to The World's Strongest Man from the BBC.

The show, broadcast by the corporation for the past 28 years, will air on Five in primetime over six consecutive nights beginning January 1, 2006.

"The World's Strongest Man is an annual television favourite in UK homes during the festive period and we're delighted that Five will be the new broadcaster of the event," said Robert Charles, Five's controller of sport.

"WSM has very high production values, is shot in stunning destinations and mixes sport and entertainment in a very appealing way for the viewer."

British hopefuls in the competition, which features events such as the Giant Log Lift, the Fridge Carry and the Truck Pull, include Brian Irwin, a 6ft 1in Belfast-born clerical officer who weighs in at nearly 23 stone, has a 57 inch chest and 21 inch biceps, and Mick Gosling, a 6ft 5in boat builder from Wolverhampton, weighing over 19 stone with a 51 inch chest and 18 inch biceps.