Boy George might appeal

FORMER Culture Club singer Boy George is considering an emergency appeal after a High Court judge ruled that he could not appear on Celebrity Big Brother (CBB).

The 48-year-old singer and DJ — real name George O’Dowd — is subject to Probation Service conditions after being released on licence from a jail sentence 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 3.

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 (€223,000) for appearing on the programme.

Louis Charalambous, Boy George’s solicitor, said after the ruling the singer was “very disappointed”.