Boy George detainee criticises ‘hurtful’ inclusion on for I’m a Celebrity
“Had I been a woman and he did what he did, he would never have been given the platform,” Audun Carlsen says.
The man who Boy George was convicted of falsely imprisoning says it’s “hurtful” to see the singer in the spotlight on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.
In 2009, George was sentenced to 15 months for assault and false imprisonment, for handcuffing Norwegian model Audun Carlsen to a wall fixture in 2007.
George, whose real name is George O’Dowd, was released from prison after serving 4 months of his sentence for good behaviour.
Speaking about George’s upcoming appearance on I’m A Celeb, Carlsen tells The Mirror: “I still see the monster that he is every time I see him.”
“Had I been a woman and he did what he did, he would never have been given the platform,” the 41-year-old continues.
Carlsen also says it’s “hurtful” to see Boy George, 61, be given platforms like I’m a Celeb. Carlsen is also upset about the singer’s fee, reportedly being the highest-paid star in the show’s history at £500,000.
“I think giving him this sort of platform and a record fee sends the wrong message to survivors of violence and abuse and is plain wrong.
“I might watch him doing a Bushtucker Trial, but I won’t vote for him. I won’t participate. Being in there is too easy for him,” Carlsen says. “When it gets scary he can say ‘I’m a celebrity… get me out of here.’ I couldn’t do that when I was chained to his wall.”
Responding to Carlsen’s comments, a representative of George tells Metro: “George went to jail for four months willingly after openly confessing to false imprisonment during a psychotic break 15 years ago whilst in the midst of a well-documented drug problem.
“Not only has he been a pillar of society ever since, but he also remains sober to this day,” they continue. “He apologised publicly on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories four years ago and we are very proud of him for his rehabilitation.”
They add: “Everyone is entitled to a second chance and George has certainly earned it.”
George has previously discussed his arrest and the incidents, stating he was high on cocaine and in the midst of a psychotic episode;
George is embarking into the Australian jungle alongside Love Island’s Olivia Attwood, retired England footballer Jill Scott, Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver, and former health secretary Matt Hancock, and more.
George is also rumoured to have negotiated a special deal with the producers as he’s vegan, so he won’t be eating meat in the show’s revered Bushtucker Trial eating challenges.
Attitude has approached representatives for Boy George for comment.