Women's Aid issue to plea to ITV as Gary Goldsmith appears on Celeb Big Brother

05 March 2024 , 22:51

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Women's Aid have issued a damning statement and asked ITV to consider how "Gary Goldsmith's appearance will impact women who have survived domestic abuse" following Kate Middleton's uncle Celebrity Big Brother entrance.

The charity, which aims to end domestic violence against women and children, says the inclusion of Goldsmith in this year's Celebrity Big Brother line-up sends a sign to survivors of abuse that "that these crimes are not taken seriously."

Goldsmith, who was found guilty of hitting his fourth wife Julie-Ann during a drunken argument in 2017, might be one of the first to leave the show, say the betting experts. However, he says he wants to show everyone a different side of himself and stay for the whole three weeks.

Speaking ahead of entering the house, he said: "If you're going to play Monopoly you don't try and be first out there. So if you're going to go and do it, try and win. But I haven't got a game plan, I don't really agree with that sort of concept. I just want to see what happens.

"Turning 50 I decided that I'm going to say no to pretty much nothing these days and just enjoy life to the full. I'm not actually a celebrity, it just happens that I am related to one of the biggest. I just thought it'd be a hoot! Also, I think I'm portrayed as this sort of villain character and I'm not. So it'd be nice to show the other side of Mr GG."

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But Goldsmith's Celebrity Big Brother venture has been slammed by many, thanks to the IT technician admitting one charge of assault by beating and being given a 12-month community order with 20 rehab sessions in 2017. Women's Aid have now released a statement regarding his reality TV debut.

A spokeswoman for charity 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."

Women's Aid issue to plea to ITV as Gary Goldsmith appears on Celeb Big Brother

Gary Goldsmith's Celebrity Big Brother entrance has triggered a statement from Women's Aid (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

"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."

A spokesperson for Big Brother 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."

ITV have now also provided a statement from Goldsmith regarding the charge: "I’m not perfect and I made a mistake, a personal row seven years ago which was publicly exposed that I've worked endlessly for seven years to put right. The offence is long since spent however my regret continues."

Speaking ahead of entering the house, Goldsmith insisted he won't embarrass niece Kate or his family whilst appearing on Celebrity Big Brother. In his final interview before Monday night's launch show, Goldsmith said: "There's not a line to cross. So Kate's the most perfectly perfect person and I'm really, really, really, really proud of her and the way that the family's all stood together and the circle of trust that she has with her mum and Pip. So it's a really strong unit. There's nothing really to dish there. I hate when people say that she's a commoner because there's nothing common about her at all. She's spectacular."

Asked if he had Kate's permission to be on the show, he replied: "No, I don't need to do that. Me being on the show has not been a topic for debate. I love my family, they can trust me that it's all going to be okay. My heart's in the right place with the family. I genuinely love them and respect what they do. I'm a royalist deep down."

"All my friends are massive Republicans. I'm a Chelsea fan, they're all Spurs fans. But we love each other. You are allowed to have different opinions and if people choose to think I don't deserve to be there or I shouldn't be there or there are better people that could have been there, I love you for your opinion."

In the house, he has already said he thinks Will and Kate are both the "the saviour of the royal family". Talking about Kate, he told Louis and Sharon: "It's difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times, and she's got children and I love the fact that she's putting family first." Before the show started, he laughed when asked if Kate might vote for him and said: "Wouldn't that be great? I would love to think that they're watching and being supportive."

Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.