Boy George appeals Celeb BB court ban

Boy George has appealed against a decision by the probation service banning him from appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.

The former Culture Club singer, real name George O'Dowd, had his request refused by London Probation as he is still on licence and wears an electronic tag.

O'Dowd was released four months into serving a 15-month sentence for imprisoning a male escort.

The High Court appeal, expected today, has been postponed until tomorrow as the 28-year-old's barrister is stuck in Amsterdam because of the bad weather.

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said that the "application for judicial review will be heard against a decision by London Probation not to allow George O'Dowd, who is under licence supervision, to appear on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother".

It added: "London Probation is defending its position and it is not appropriate to comment further before the outcome of the judicial review."

Channel 4 confirmed that producers were in talks with O'Dowd about appearing on the show but could not comment on the case.

Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, US rapper MC Hammer and Peter Andre are all rumoured to be appearing in the seventh and final celebrity series.

Celebrity Big Brother begins on Channel 4 on January 3.