CASTAWAY star Erica Hurst's husband has launched a cheeky bid to join her on the show.

Matt Williams, aged 24, is desperate to be reunited with his sweetheart after parting from her just three weeks after their Las Vegas wedding, when Erica left to take part in the BBC television programme.

The nightclub security manager from Lostock announced his bid to a radio station to join his 22-year-old wife on New Zealand's Great Barrier Island, as viewers heard Erica confess a "crush" on fellow castaway Joe.

Surprise newcomer Caroline Ball, aged 27, a PhD student from Newcastle, landed on the island last night and next week Radio 1 will launch a competition allowing one listener to join the current 14.

Matt said he would be nominating himself "I'll do my best to get out there. I want to go in as soon as possible and it would make great television if I joined her there," he said.

Matt revealed that he and Erica had talked about him travelling to New Zealand to see her at the end of the show, but it would be a complete surprise to her if he arrived earlier.

"She'd be completely amazed if I turned up," he said.

He said he was not worried about Erica's relationship with Joe. "I trust her and I don't think she's going to do anything. She wouldn't have married me if that wasn't the case."

Matt said he has emailed everyone in his address book to ask them to leave messages of support backing his plan on the Castaway website.

"I've started a chain email and people are sending it on to their friends," he said Matt wants people to leave comments in support of his bid on the Castaway website. Some viewers' comments will be read out on BBC3 show Castaway: Exposed, hosted by Richard Bacon, at 10pm on Sunday.

He also revealed he has contacted Radio 1 breakfast DJ Chris Moyles via the station's website to ask about the idea.

"It's Erica's birthday on March 27 and I've suggested to the producers they should send me in time for that. I've already sent a card but I don't know if she'll receive it or not."

Radio 1 listeners will be able to nominate themselves to join the castaways from next Monday and fans will be able to vote from a shortlist of four next month. To support Matt's bid, leave a comment at: HERE.