Court denies Boy George

Court denies Boy George

LONDON — A British court has blocked an attempt by former Culture Club singer Boy George to appear on a reality television show.

The 48-year-old had hoped to appear on Channel 4’s “Celebrity Big Brother” despite being on probation for assaulting a male escort.

Newspaper reports say George would stand to earn tens of thousands of dollars for appearing on the show, which begins Jan. 3.

Probation officers argue that allowing George to appear on the show would undermine the reputation of London’s probation service and public confidence in the judicial system.

George appealed the service’s ban, saying probation was not meant to punish him. High Court judge David Bean dismissed George’s appeal Wednesday.

Winehouse arrested

LONDON — Singer Amy Winehouse was charged Wednesday in connection with an assault at a theater, police said. The 26-year-old soul diva was arrested after she presented herself at a police station with her lawyer, Thames Valley Police said in a statement.

She was charged with a public-order offense and common assault under the name Amy Civil, following a Saturday incident at Milton Keynes Theater, police said. Winehouse was granted a divorce from her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, in July. She is free on bail and must appear in court Jan. 20. Police did not provide details on the incident, but British media have reported that the singer reportedly struggled with a member of the theater’s staff after heckling at a performance.

Today’s birthdays

Singer-bassist Lemmy of Motorhead is 64. Actor Clarence Gilyard (“Walker, Texas Ranger”) is 54. Actress Stephanie Hodge is 53. Actor Anil Kapoor (“Slumdog Millionaire”) is 50. Singer Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs is 46. Actor Diedrich Bader (“The Drew Carey Show”) is 43. Singer Ricky Martin is 38. “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest is 35.