Celebrity Big Brother: Manufactured Big Bother

WINSTON McKenzie has sparked a homophobia row BEFORE even stepping in to the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The former UKIP MP* - who is now a member of the English Democrats - made a bizarre comment about co-habiting with gay people in his VT that aired ahead of him entering the famous house.

He chuckled: "I'd cope with a homosexual in the house, I guess I just have to be standing against a brick wall all the time."

Viewers were disgusted that his comments were aired, and even questioned why host Emma Willis didn't pull him up on his views when she interviewed him before he went inside... 

The Sun. 

 

This is impressive - as the comment was made in a pre-recorded segment the producers presumably included it to introduce him to viewers as the series' homophobic pantomime villain.

And yes, if he'd said it in the house, there'd have been a 'dramatic showdown' and he'd probably have been ejected.

There are two gay men in the house so far to offend, ex-Eastender, John Partridge, and X Factor's Christopher Maloney.

Noted heterosexual, David Gest, is also in there, alongside the bisexual, Angie Bowie.

Anyway, great to see ver gay media go into predictable meltdown.

'Ban bigots from the box - no more reality in reality TV!'

'THIS IS THE WORST THING SINCE TYSON FURY!!!'

Here's the Mirror's handy guide to 'the controversial politician'.

* You've probably noticed he wasn't a Ukip MP, he has stood for several political offices for several parties and always failed spectacularly. 

My opening comments were "Tongue in cheek" as a tribute to the wonderful tolerant Gay community who support freedom of speech #CBB #Chill

— Winston McKenzie (@WinstonMcK) January 6, 2016

David Bowie: "Golden Years"

A few years back I had an amusing email exchange with Angie Bowie when I was trying to fix up an interview.
She broke it off with the immortal line that she was bored with talking about David Bowie. 
Anyway, I'm happy to report that she's in-no-way bonkers, nor has she ever tried to trade on David's name nor cash in on his success.
She's also a reliable source of information on the Dame back in the early days, and - by golly - she's never told any of these stories in the Sun Sunday before has she?  
If you haven't OD-ed on DB coverage in the media recently, you might want to read this Guardian piece - When Bowie Met Burroughs - by Jon Savage instead.
A strange title, as it's actually an overview of his glittering career and - though it's been a cliche in all the recent safety blanket coverage - his terrific cultural impact.
Whatever it's a rare interesting and insightful piece amongst a tidal wave of tired old guff.  
Most papers seem to think they can get away with stars reminisces of the golden years, or by filling a few pages with some old photos and "insights" cribbed from the book accompanying the upcoming V&A exhibition David Bowie Is...
(It opens in a fortnight - interesting timing seeing as no-one knew about this comeback). 
The Sunday Times Magazine has lifted a whole article from the book, Oh! You Pretty Thing, by... Camille Paglia.
Can't believe anyone still takes this silly old fraud seriously anymore.
For once be grateful if you can't get behind the Murdoch paywall.