Hip-hop star Dappy was arrested on Thursday after a fight outside a Chelmsford nightclub. The N-Dubz rapper, who recently finished second on Celebrity Big Brother, was charged with assault by beating and released on bail.
In a statement, Essex police confirmed that Dappy was arrested and subsequently charged under his real name, Costadinos Contostavlos, “following an incident outside a nightclub in Moulsham Street in Chelmsford in the early hours of 27 February”. He will appear before Chelmsford magistrates’ court on 19 March.
Dappy was booked to appear at Chicago’s club in Chelmsford on Wednesday night, performing three songs for its weekly Wild Life theme night. “Had a great night in Chicago’s,” he tweeted after the show. “Crowd was amazing.” Though it’s not clear how the fight broke out, one of Dappy’s “pals” told the Mirror, “he acted in complete self-defence”.
Since losing to Jim Davidson during January’s Celebrity Big Brother finale, Dappy has revealed plans to reunite with N-Dubz bandmates Tulisa Contostavlos and Richard “Fazer” Rawson. “I want it to happen soon – this year,” he told Metro. “Tulisa and Fazer are all ready for it, too. We’ll all win Brits.”
Rawson, however, recently announced plans to release his own new solo music, including a single with the Wanted’s Tom Parker. Tulisa, meanwhile, has her own troubles: she is due to stand trial this July on suspicion of helping an undercover reporter obtain cocaine.
Last spring, Dappy was found guilty of assault and affray in connection with a brawl at a Guildford petrol station. He was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 150 hours of community service.
