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Boy George loses plea to appear on Channel 4
Boy George
Boy George banned from appearing in Celebrity Big Brother
Boy George has failed in a legal attempt to appear in the last ever series of Celebrity Big Brother.
The star’s legal team had been trying to lift a ban – placed by the Probation Service – on him appearing on the Channel 4 show, due to start in the new year.
But a judge at the High Court rebuffed the former Culture Club lead singer’s plea.
Boy George – real name George O’Dowd – is currently on probation after being released early from Pentonville Prison, where he was serving a sentence for imprisoning a male escort at his London home in April 2007.
A spokesman for the Probation Service said they were “pleased” with the decision.
“We expect offenders to keep to their license conditions which are in place to protect the public, punish offenders for their crime and aid rehabilitation,” he added.
Richard Clayton QC, representing the Probation Service, had said on Tuesday that Boy George’s participation in the show would pose “a high level of risk” to the reputation of the service.
Alison MacDonald, representing Boy George – who is currently forced to wear an electronic tag – argued the Probation Service license was designed to monitor his behaviour, not punish him.
The license does not prevent him from performing at London’s Leicester Square Theatre, where he is currently wowing fans and critics alike with his show, ‘Up Close and Personal’, until 31st December.
Boy George’s lawyers may, however, appeal.
