CELEBRITY Big Brother has come under fire and been blasted by a leading women’s charity for allowing Gary Goldsmith to be a housemate on the current series.
The uncle of Princess Kate, 56, has caused a stir by signing up to the ITV show and has now found himself under fire as a result of his past convictions.
Women’s Aid have condemned ITV for allowing Gary to take part in the programme despite his violent past.
Gary was arrested in October 2017 after allegedly assaulting wife Julie-Ann outside their central London home.
The pair had got into a row in a taxi after a night out at the exclusive private members’ club Home in Portman Square, Marylebone.
In the November he pleaded guilty to knocking out his wife during a drunken street brawl at Westminster Magistrates court.
He was handed a £5,000 fine for the incident and ordered into alcohol rehabilitation.
However, the charity has not forgotten the incident and has now blasted show bosses in a lengthy statement of which they accuse the broadcaster of a “lack of awareness” surrounding survivors of domestic abuse.
In their statement, Women’s Aid said: “The decision to include a man who has been charged, and pleaded guilty to, assaulting his wife, in the Celebrity Big Brother house demonstrates the lack of awareness that the production team has when it comes to survivors of domestic abuse.
“The producers should consider how Gary Goldsmith’s appearance will impact women who have survived domestic abuse and how they will feel watching him on TV every night.
“At Women’s Aid we would urge the producers to consider how they approach this, as for many survivors of abuse, the inclusion of men convicted of abuse in entertainment programmes will already be a sign that these crimes are not taken seriously – the entertainment industry has to consider the impact on women of who they give a platform to and derive entertainment value from.”
In response, ITV issued their own statement to insist that Gary had been reminded of how to act and behave whilst inside the CBB compound.
ITV said: “All housemates undertake training in language and behaviour before entering the Big Brother house.
“All behaviour in the house is strictly monitored at all times.”
They also referred to an apology sent out by Gary about the incident which read: “I’m not perfect and I made a mistake, a personal row 7 years ago which was publicly exposed that I’ve worked endlessly for 7 years to put right.
“The offence is long since spent however my regret continues.”
Gary’s casting on the show has come amid a turbulent time in the Royal Family with Gary having been read the riot act by his sister – and Princess Kate’s mum – Carole Middleton.
The Princess of Wales is currently recuperating at home following abdominal surgery nearly seven weeks ago.
It is understood the Palace is also anxious about what Gary might say about the royals and Kate’s family whilst on the popular reality show.
A source said to The Sun: “Gary said he’s been read the riot act by Kate’s mum Carole and her dad Michael.
“They aren’t happy he’s going into Celebrity Big Brother.
“It is infuriating for them. Kate doesn’t need this stress.”
