Boy George fails in Big Brother appeal

Eighties pop star Boy George failed in his High Court bid to overturn a probation order preventing him from taking part in next year's Celebrity Big Brother show, it was announced Wednesday.

The former Culture Club singer, real name George O'Dowd, is currently free on licence after serving four months of a 15-month prison sentence for assaulting Norwegian Audun Carlsen at his London home.

Mr Justice Bean, who is expected to give reasons for rejecting the appeal later in the day, ignored the impassioned pleas of O'Dowd, who blamed drug abuse for his past behaviour.

"I became addicted to cocaine many years ago," the singer said. "This caused serious damage to my personal and professional life and got me into trouble with the police in the UK and elsewhere.

"When under the influence of drugs I behaved in an appalling way towards Audun Carlsen. I deeply regret my conduct on that occasion," he added.

The Karma Chameleon performer, 48, was set to earn 200,000 pounds for his appearance in Channel Four's reality show which starts on January 3.

Other celebrities tipped to appear in the house include former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, 1990s rapper MC Hammer and Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.