I’m a Celebrity… sparks furious backlash as Boy George joins line-up: ‘Shocked and disgusted’
Boy George will appear in the new series of I’m A Celebrity… (Getty/ITV)
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here has been slammed after announcing that convicted abuser Boy George will be one of the contestants.
The popular ITV reality show announced its lineup last night (1 November) to surprised fans, since Boy George himself has previously declared that he wouldn’t appear on the show.
During an episode of Saturday Night Takeaway, Ant and Dec once asked him what his hit 1983 song “Karma Chameleon” actually meant, he replied: “It means I never have to do I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.”
Despite implying he was too rich to ever be paid to go on the show, according to the Evening Standard he is reportedly being paid £500,000.
However, other reports have claimed that he is entering the jungle with the “biggest deal in the show’s history”, at a whopping £879,000.
We’re BACK down under with a host of brand new celebrities, ready to face the terrifying trials and tribulations of the jungle ??#ImACeleb returns this Sunday at 9pm on ITV, STV and ITV Hub. @antanddec pic.twitter.com/yf8LnMRWnc— I'm A Celebrity… (@imacelebrity) October 31, 2022
Many people have shared their disappointment at his appearance, given his past conviction for false imprisonment of a male escort.
In 2009 he was sentenced to 15 months in jail for attacking Norwegian model Audun Carlsen. During the attack, he proceeded to handcuff Carlsen to a radiator and beat him with a metal chain.
This latest reality show announcement comes mere weeks after he was under the spotlight for being part of BBC’s Drag Race UK season four guest star lineup.
At the time, sex worker T6X87 told PinkNews: “For the BBC to again give Boy George a platform on a light entertainment show demonstrates an appalling lack of judgment and shows that sexual violence is not taken seriously – perhaps the rules are different if the victim is a gay man and a sex worker?”
People have taken to social media once more to share their dismay at his continued and illustrious television career.
“I don’t suppose I’m alone in feeling both shocked and disgusted that we will soon be seeing Boy George on the popular television show I’m a Celebrity… after what’s known of the man’s past,” one person wrote.
“Please stop giving him any screen time,” another wrote, “That man is disgusting and doesn’t deserve a career in television.”
Boy George yet again gets a platform while the man he kidnapped & violently assaulted has yet to even receive an apology. He spent a grand total of 4 months (!) in prison & continues to get work in the spotlight…— Patrick Swayne (@pswayne7) October 31, 2022
Boy George is trending, again, so it's time to do my usual reminder that he is a convicted abuser and chained a sex worker to a radiator.
You're welcome.
— Autist na h-Alba – The Shape Of Things To Come (@Easy_As_He_They) October 31, 2022
TW: Assault, violence against sex workers
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Boy George handcuffed a sex worker to a radiator & beat him with a metal chain. He was sentenced to 15 months for false imprisonment & assault, and released after 4. Ironically, he wanted to be on reality TV less than 6 months later. pic.twitter.com/K6zbfZLcdZ— The Captain ♿?️⚧️ (@grumpywonky) October 31, 2022
PinkNews has contacted ITV for comment.
