11 March 2024 , 10:20
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Celebrity Big Brother star Gary Goldsmith has said that he deeply regrets his domestic abuse assault.
It was seen as a controversial choice to add the 58-year-old to the cast as he was found guilty of hitting his fourth wife Julie-Ann Brown during a drunken argument in 2017. He admitted to one charge of assault by beating and was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehab sessions.
Gary, who is most famous for being Kate the Princess of Wales' uncle, described it as a "horrific episode" and confessed that he is "far from innocent". Gary revealed he knew that his domestic abuse assault would be brought up again if he were to appear on the iconic ITV reality TV show, but he wanted to show off his "true" personality on the show and make his daughter feel "proud".
Gary opened up about the assault charge (ITV)Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Gary said that he was very regretful of his actions, noting: "There were lots of things that I'm regretful of. I tried to live my best life, but I failed consistently. And that was a horrific episode.
"There were two sides to every story, but ours was never heard. It was considered by the judge that if my wife and I were intoxicated so they discounted everything we said and they only listened to a taxi driver who sold a story. And it's best at that position to put your hands up.
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"I'm far from innocent in that whole situation and I've progressed it for seven years and I'm trying to do everything I can day by day to be a better person. I love my wife dearly. We are still very much in love. It was a very tough period of time and it wasn't the best of it.
"The headlines about me are from 20 years ago or seven years ago, and the fake sheikh piece, who had been apparently targeted me for two years to try and find something. We were aware that all of this stuff would come up and my wife and I talked long and hard about me doing this because it almost had been sort of packed away.
Gary with his wife Julie-Ann (Internet Unknown)
Gary was the first Celebrity Big Brother housemate to leave"I want [my daughter] to be super proud or more proud of me," he added. Earlier this month, Women's Aid issued a statement and asked ITV to consider how "Gary Goldsmith's appearance will impact women who have survived domestic abuse". During his first week in the Big Brother house, he accused Meghan Markle of "creating drama" in the royal family.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk