Tommy Sheridan to appear on Celebrity Big Brother
Charlene Sweeney December 30, 2008
The
firebrand Scottish socialist Tommy Sheridan will enter the
Celebrity Big Brother house on Friday in a familiar position: as rank
outsider.Although the final line-up has not yet been confirmed by Channel 4, it is thought that Mr Sheridan's ten housemates will include the former weather presenter Ulrika Jonsson, the dwarf actor Verne Troyer and the American rapper Coolio.
Mr Sheridan will become the second politician to compete in the reality series after George Galloway, the Respect MP and fellow left-wing diehard, blazed a trail two years ago. Mr Galloway, who provided one of the most memorable moments of the series when he donned a red leotard and performed a robotic dance, managed a respectable 22 days in the house and was fourth to be evicted.
Bookmakers were less positive yesterday about Mr Sheridan's chances, claiming that his strident opinions could be too much for some viewers to stomach. They also pointed out that politicians were traditionally unpopular among reality television viewers, who tend to be under 25 and uninterested in current affairs. Rupert Adams, from William Hill, said that Troyer was ranked as favourite at 7-2, with Mr Sheridan sitting as an outsider with the singers Mutya Buena and Michelle Heaton at odds of 14-1.
“Historically, politicians or people in current affairs have tended to do badly, because they don't appeal to the generation that watches Big Brother,” he said. “If you are opinionated, as Tommy is, you are also in trouble - I would not be surprised if he is the first one out.”
Mr Sheridan, 44, entered politics after making his name as a poll tax protester, rising from Glasgow councillor to becoming the Scottish Socialists' first MSP. In 2006 he won a libel case against The News of the World over allegations about his private life. Since then he has formed the Solidarity party and been charged with perjury.
Tommy Sheridan and his wife
Gail ‘told lies during News of the World
libel trial’
David Lister March 28, 2008
David Lister March 28, 2008
Tommy Sheridan and his wife appeared in court yesterday charged with lying under oath at the socialist politician’s libel trial against the News of the World. Mr Sheridan, 43, and his wife, Gail, 44, were greeted by cheering supporters outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where they appeared separately and in private. Neither made any plea or declaration and they were both released on bail.
As they emerged from the building they were cheered and clapped by about 50 supporters, who waved banners and placards declaring “End the vendetta”, while some chanted: “Shame on Lothians Police”.
Mr Sheridan, the permatanned former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, was charged with perjury in December after an investigation by Lothian and Borders Police. Detectives were asked to begin an inquiry after the trial judge raised concerns about contradictory testimony during Mr Sheridan’s epic libel battle against the newspaper. He was awarded £200,000 in damages after a jury decided that he had been libelled by a series of stories portraying him as a sex cheat who attended swingers’ clubs and took part in orgies. The News of the World is appealing against the verdict.
Mrs Sheridan, who told the Court of Session in Edinburgh that she would have murdered her husband and dumped his body in the Clyde had he been unfaithful, was charged with perjury last month. Her testimony was widely regarded as critical to her husband’s victory.
A total of seven people have been charged with lying under oath at the trial in 2006. The 23-day case, in which Mr Sheridan represented himself after sacking his legal team, turned him and his wife into Scotland’s most glamorous political couple.
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