A High Court judge has rejected singer Boy George’s appeal to take part in the final series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Mr Justice Bean ruled that the London Probation Service is ‘within its rights’ to block the former Culture Club frontman – real name George O’Dowd – from appearing on the show.
He is currently out of jail on license, having been sentenced to fifteen months for falsely imprisoning a male escort.
The judge said: “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.”
A spokesman for the Probation Service said: “We believe we made a common sense direction and this has been endorsed by the judge.
“We expect offenders to keep to their licence conditions which are in place to protect the public, punish offenders for their crime and aid rehabilitation.”
O’Dowd’s solicitor, Louis Charalambous, said: “Life goes on, but he will consider his options after talking to his legal advisers.
“This was work for Boy George and the probation service has prevented him from working.”
According to reports, CBB producers offered George £400,000 to appear. He said: “It would have been a good earner as I was being offered £400,000 and my ability to work has been restricted for the past two years.
“But there’s much more to life than money. Other opportunities will arise.”
His lawyers could now take his case to the Court Of Appeal.
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