Sam!
21-12-2009, 12:38 PM
Boy George is appealing against a probation service decision barring him from appearing on the next series of reality show Celebrity Big Brother.
In May, the singer - real name George O'Dowd - was released on licence from prison four months into a 15-month sentence for imprisoning a male escort.
London Probation refused his request to appear on Big Brother, as he is still on licence and wears an electronic tag.
O'Dowd's High Court appeal has been postponed from Monday until Tuesday.
His barrister is stuck in Amsterdam because of the weather.
Show axed
The singer, 48, was convicted of false imprisonment after admitting handcuffing Norwegian Audun Carlsen to a wall in his London home in April 2007.
The Ministry of Justice said the "application for judicial review will be heard against a decision by London Probation not to allow George O'Dowd, who is under licence supervision, to appear on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother".
"London Probation is defending its position and it is not appropriate to comment further before the outcome of the judicial review," it added.
Ulrika Jonsson won this year's Celebrity Big Brother
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said it could not comment on the case but confirmed producers were speaking to O'Dowd about appearing on the show.
Celebrity Big Brother - which begins on 3 January, 2010 - will be the seventh and final series of the show on Channel 4.
In August, the broadcaster announced that both Big Brother and its celebrity spin-off were being axed after one further series.
Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and US rapper MC Hammer are among celebrities reportedly being lined up to appear on Celebrity Big Brother in January.
TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, Take That star Mark Owen and comedian Jack Dee are among previous winners.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8424592.stm
In May, the singer - real name George O'Dowd - was released on licence from prison four months into a 15-month sentence for imprisoning a male escort.
London Probation refused his request to appear on Big Brother, as he is still on licence and wears an electronic tag.
O'Dowd's High Court appeal has been postponed from Monday until Tuesday.
His barrister is stuck in Amsterdam because of the weather.
Show axed
The singer, 48, was convicted of false imprisonment after admitting handcuffing Norwegian Audun Carlsen to a wall in his London home in April 2007.
The Ministry of Justice said the "application for judicial review will be heard against a decision by London Probation not to allow George O'Dowd, who is under licence supervision, to appear on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother".
"London Probation is defending its position and it is not appropriate to comment further before the outcome of the judicial review," it added.
Ulrika Jonsson won this year's Celebrity Big Brother
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said it could not comment on the case but confirmed producers were speaking to O'Dowd about appearing on the show.
Celebrity Big Brother - which begins on 3 January, 2010 - will be the seventh and final series of the show on Channel 4.
In August, the broadcaster announced that both Big Brother and its celebrity spin-off were being axed after one further series.
Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and US rapper MC Hammer are among celebrities reportedly being lined up to appear on Celebrity Big Brother in January.
TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, Take That star Mark Owen and comedian Jack Dee are among previous winners.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8424592.stm