Gary Goldsmith at the launch of “Celebrity Big Brother,” March 4; Kate Middleton at Wimbledon in July 2023.Photo:Sofi Adam/Shutterstock; Clive Brunskill/Getty
Sofi Adam/Shutterstock; Clive Brunskill/Getty
Kate Middleton’s uncle’s appearance in thelatest seasonofCelebrity Big Brother U.K.has drawn criticism from a domestic abuse charity due to hisarrest record.
“The decision to include a man who has been charged, and pleaded guilty to, assaulting his wife, in theCelebrity Big Brotherhouse demonstrates the lack of awareness that the production team has when it comes to survivors of domestic abuse,” said astatementfrom the U.K. charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
Gary Goldsmith attends the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark’s Church in May 2017.UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty;
UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty;
“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 programs 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,” the group concluded.
Goldsmith, 58, is the younger brother of Princess Kate’s mother,Carole Middleton, and was arrested in October 2017 forassaultinghis fourth wife, Julie-Ann Brown, during an argument outside their London home. As the two argued after a drunken night out, Goldsmith punched his wife in the face, causing her to hit her head on the ground.
According toThe Independent,the former Computer Futures directorpled guilty, was fined $6,000 and given a 12-month community order with 20 sessions of rehabilitation.The Sunsaid that Goldsmith and Brown are now divorced.
Responding to criticism around Goldsmith’s spot on the show, theBBCreported that a spokesperson for Big Brother said, “All housemates undertake training in language and behavior before entering the Big Brother house. All behavior in the house is strictly monitored at all times.”
In a promotional clip for the new season shared onXon Monday, Goldsmithpraised his niecePrincess Kate and remembered the first time he metPrince William.
“She is simply perfect,” Goldsmith said of Kate in theshort clip. “The first time I met William, Catherine was cooking and William said, ‘Hi, do you want a cup of tea?’ Very normal.”
Kate Middleton visits the new Children’s Day Surgery Unit at Evelina London in December 2023.IAN VOGLER/POOL/AFP via Getty
IAN VOGLER/POOL/AFP via Getty
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In an interview withThe Sunpublished on the day of the reality show premiere, Goldsmith said he would not “bring any stress” to his family amid Princess Kate’s private recovery fromabdominal surgery.
“I’ve spoken to Carole just to send my love, and we talked about Kate given what’s going on,” he said.
“There’s lots going on in the family at the moment. So she’s spinning a lot of plates right now, it’s quite stressful. So the last thing I’m going to do is bring any stress to them,” he added.
The businessman joins fellow contestantsSharon Osbourne, formerLove Islandchamp Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, Netflix’sHeartstopperactor Bradley Riches and more for the revamped series returning to screens after a six-year hiatus.
source: people.com
