Rapper Flava Flav lined up to star in I’m A Celebrity for ‘£1million’ despite history of domestic violence
PUBLIC Enemy rapper Flava Flav is lined up to star in I’m A Celebrity for a rumoured £1million.
However, the move has been blasted by the charity Women’s Aid as the former cocaine addict, real name William Jonathan Drayton Jr, has a long history of domestic abuse.
He has spent time in jail for assaulting his ex-girlfriends.
A TV source said: “Although it’s not a done deal and talks are still ongoing, there is a lot of buzz around signing this big-name American music star at ITV, as he is royalty in the rap world.
“But his previous offences are a cause for concern and won’t sit well in today’s climate.
“There is a huge amount of money on the line for his contract, said to be as much as £1million, one of the biggest in the history of the show.”
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Flav, who previously appeared on Channel 5’s The Farm, was jailed in 1991 for assaulting the mother of three of his children, Karen Ross.
Two years later the dad-of-eight was charged with domestic violence as well as drug offences.
In 2012 he was arrested after an argument at his Las Vegas home where he threatened the teenage son of his fiancé with a knife.
Women’s Aid spokeswoman Teresa Parker said: “It is disappointing that someone with a long track record of domestic abuse is being considered for a much-loved prime time programme.
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“We need to be careful about who we are celebrating in these shows.”
The next I’m A Celeb is due in November.
ITV said: “Any names suggested are speculation.”
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.