Jim Davidson to miss Celebrity Big Brother

Jim Davidson, known for making several homophobic comments over the years, will not be appearing in the new series of Celebrity Big Brother.

The controversial comedian was detained by police investigating the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal yesterday and has now been released.

The 59-year-old “vigorously denies” the claims against him.

Davidson was one of two men arrested on suspicion of sexual offences as part of Operation Yewtree.

Both individuals fall under the strand of the investigation termed ‘others’ and the Metropolitan Police said the allegations are not linked to Savile.

Davidson had been tipped to star in the Channel 5 reality TV show which begins tonight.

Gay X Factor finalist Rylan Clark is also said to be taking part.

In 2007, Davidson insulted the show’s gay current host, Bryan Dowling, by calling him a “shirt lifter” and a “fucking disgrace” when they were both contestants on ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen.

Last week Davidson also revealed that he had sex with a ‘lady-boy’ and claimed that this proved that he was not homophobic.

Davidson also became embroiled in another anti-gay row in October when commenting on the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.

The former BBC prime-time Saturday night star wrote on his blog of the disgraced entertainer: “A bloke who’s a loner dresses and acts like a nonce and thinks he is the most important person in the world.

“Hmmm. I knew…and didn’t do anything. Mind you I had no proof. To me he was just another pervert”.

Davidson then added: “There are lots of them in showbiz. There seems to be more gay ones than straight, but that’s because there are probably more gays in showbiz than most professions.”

• TV
• Dec 16 2023

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