Boy George has "turned his life around" since he was sentenced for false imprisonment and assault back in December 2008, his friend has insisted.
The pop star had been accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning a Norwegian model to a wall fixture as well as beating him with a metal chain.
George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, 61, said his actions were a result of his long-term drug use and has always denied assaulting Audun Carlsen.
He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for his actions but spent just four months behind bars and was released in May 2009, on the condition he wore an ankle tag.
Now, his pal Lizzie Cundy has defended his appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! after he faced backlash from viewers.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, the television personality said: "That was awful, I don't think he can get away from it.
"He's done his time and hasn't had a drink of alcohol since then and has turned his life around, so it is harsh for people to say that."
After George branded former campmate Charlene White controlling, fans hit out, with Lizzie responding: "He's even said in the jungle, 'Look, I like being in control, give me something to do.'
"You've got to love George for his honesty because he says what people think."
During his stint in the jungle, Scarlette Douglas appeared to quiz Boy George on his past, with the Culture Club star instantly shutting down the conversation.
The A Place In The Sun presenter asked: "What happened with you BG and some guy in handcuffs and a radiator?"
The singer quickly quipped: "That's not true," before furiously saying: "Handcuffs is true but the radiator bit wasn't true, but thanks for bringing it up."
Speaking in the Bush Telegraph, he fumed: "Scarlette blatantly talked about my court case.
"I thought it was inappropriate what she did, actually, I thought she shouldn't have said what she said to me.
"And I thought I handled it really well as it's a big sore point for me when people say things like that."
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain just hours after she left the Australian jungle, she said: "I'm gonna be honest, I genuinely didn't know.
"When he actually told me, I was quite shocked and I obviously wanted to delve deeper but he pretty much just shut it down and moved on.
"Of course, it's his story to tell, it's not mine, so if he doesn't want to talk about it, that's for him."
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! returns tonight at 9.15pm on ITV.
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