Sex worker abused by ‘monster’ Boy George blasts ‘hurtful’ I’m a Celebrity casting
Boy George. (WireImage / Brian Rasic)
The man who was assaulted and falsely imprisoned by Boy George has slammed the “hurtful” decision by ITV to platform him on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
In 2008, Boy George was convicted of attacking Norwegian model and sex worker Audun Carlsen.
Carlsen described how, in 2007, he had been handcuffed to a radiator, beaten with a metal chain and threatened with a sex toy by the singer.
Lawyers for Boy George attempted to defend his actions by citing his long-term drug use, but he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for assault and false imprisonment. He was released after four months for good behaviour.
This month, it was announced that the singer would be joining the line-up for the new series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, sparking furious backlash.
Now, speaking out about the decision, Audun told the Mirror: “Had I been a woman and he did what he did, he would never have been given the platform. It’s hurtful that big organisations like ITV give him that platform.
“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.”
Since the attack, Audun said he has spent 10 years in therapy, has been diagnosed with PTSD, and was left with a “permanent back injury”.
“I can’t meet anyone because I get too anxious,” he said. “I get sceptical about people because I don’t know what their intentions are.”
A spokesperson for Boy George told the publication: “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. He apologised publicly on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and we are very proud of him for his rehabilitation.
“Everyone is entitled to a second chance and George has certainly earned it.”
But Audun, now 43, added: “I still see the monster that he is every time I see him. He hasn’t changed.
“I’m not going to watch I’m A Celeb, and I love that show. 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.
“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.”
