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Ted Haggard answers questions during the HBO panel for the documentary ''The Trials of Ted Haggard'' at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles January 9, 2009. REUTERS/Phil McCarten

Ted Haggard answers questions during the HBO panel for the documentary ''The Trials of Ted Haggard'' at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles January 9, 2009.

Credit: Reuters/Phil McCarten

LOS ANGELES | Thu Sep 22, 2011 5:35pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard and actor Gary Busey will trade partners in an upcoming episode of "Celebrity Wife Swap," a spokeswoman for the show said on Thursday.

Haggard's participation in the episode comes five years after a stunning fall from grace for the former president of the National Association of Evangelicals.

He was exiled from the Colorado-based New Life mega-church he founded after admitting "sexual immorality" and buying methamphetamines from a male masseur.

The air date for the episode on ABC starring Haggard and Busey has not been determined, but the two men will swap partners, said Brooke Fisher, a spokeswoman for the show.

Haggard's wife Gayle has written a book about her husband's gay sex scandal titled "Why I Stayed." Busey's longtime girlfriend is actress Steffanie Sampson, and while the two are not married they have a son together who was born last year.

Busey is best known for starring in 1978 film "The Buddy Holly Story" and he also recently had a recurring role on the HBO television show "Entourage."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
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Comments (3)
dibeanie wrote:
Gee, sounds like stellar TV. @@! I’ll pass.

Sep 23, 2011 1:33am EDT  --  Report as abuse
forteinjeff wrote:
Haggard is a nice enough guy but the only one he’s lying to regarding his sexuality is he and his wife. If he’s searching for creditbility, then why not admit that there are shades of gray and that he’s not as lily white as he believes he is. Now if he swapped out with a gay union at least that one would have some truth to it. This guy will do anything to be in the spotlight. How about having two female wives and two men. Now that’s a fun show to watch!

Sep 23, 2011 10:17am EDT  --  Report as abuse
Marla wrote:
It’s probably not his first swap. Seriously, this is what anyone considers entertainment?

Sep 24, 2011 1:01am EDT  --  Report as abuse
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