New York - The ousted Illinois governor accused of trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by US president Barak Obama was denied permission Tuesday to fly to Costa Rica to participate in a reality TV show.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that US District Court Judge James Zagel refused to modify the terms of Rod Blagojevich's bail, saying the request indicated that the defendant failed to grasp the gravity of the charges against him.

Blagojevich, who is accused of a series of corrupt acts including trying to sell the seat for cash and political favours, had hoped to participate in the show I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here, in part to raise money for his legal defence, he said.

Prosecutors opposed the request, saying that Blagojevich faces 25 to 30 years in jail and could flee if he was allowed to leave for Costa Rica. He was impeached and removed from office earlier this year by the Illinois State Legislature.