LONDON – Former Culture Club singer Boy George is considering an emergency appeal after a British high court judge ruled that he could not appear on Celebrity Big Brother.
The 48-year-old singer and DJ (real name George O’Dowd) is subject to probation service conditions after being released on licence from jail for assaulting and falsely imprisoning a rent boy.
He wanted the high court to quash the decision by the probation service banning him from the Channel 4 programme, which begins on January 3rd.
But Mr Justice Bean yesterday dismissed his application, ruling: “I consider that right-thinking members of the public would take the view that an offender serving the non-custodial part of a sentence of imprisonment should not be allowed to take part in a high-profile, controversial television production, promoting his status as a celebrity and with considerable financial gain.”
There have been reports that Boy George would have received £200,000 (€140,000) for appearing on the programme.
Louis Charalambous, Boy George’s solicitor, said after the ruling the singer was “very disappointed”.
“Life goes on, but he will consider his options after talking to his legal advisers.”
Mr Charalambous said he was also disappointed the original “correct” decision by the singer’s own probation officer, allowing him to appear, was overturned by the head of the probation service.
He said the result amounted to discrimination because if Boy George had been a plumber, he could have worked. “This was work for Boy George and the probation service has prevented him from working,” he said.
The probation service’s role was to provide facilities enabling offenders to rehabilitate and resettle in the community, Mr Charalambous added. – (PA)