Tommy – from class war to crass bore?

Published on Thursday 22 January 2009 21:09

IT WAS supposed to be the ideal opportunity for Tommy Sheridan to restore his reputation as "a man of the people", to woo the viewers of Britain to his brand of left-wing rhetoric and "boy next-door" charm.

Unfortunately, for Scotland's famous socialist firebrand, Celebrity Big Brother did not quite work out that way.

Right from the start, when he was booed into the Big Brother house, it was clear that this was not going to be an easy stint in front of the cameras for Scotland's class warrior.

What he did not know at the time, but probably guessed, was that some of his former socialist comrades were turning on him while he was inside.

The Socialist Party website blasted him with a tirade decrying

his involvement in reality television when capitalism was "being engulfed" and the role of any true socialist was to help bring it down even further.

Mr Sheridan was once a significant force in Scottish politics, the leader of a party on the way up and an MSP for eight years. This month's Celebrity Big Brother appears to have confirmed that not only is he on the way down, but his political career seems to be almost over.

Mr Sheridan lasted in the house until two days ago, when he was evicted. The opportunity to present his credentials as a working-class political hero seemed to have been missed.

Emma Cowing, who has been reporting daily on Celebrity Big Brother for The Scotsman, said: "The majority of people who watch Celebrity Big Brother are under 25, they are into music but not really politics. They saw him as a staid, middle-aged guy trying too hard to fit in."

So what went wrong? Gail Sheridan, Tommy's wife, admitted she had drawn up a list of activities he must not get involved in, if he wanted to retain any dignity.

This made him appear self-conscious, wary and cautious – fine for getting by without controversy but not so good in promoting the brand that made Sheridan an attractive house guest in the first place.

Hugh Kerr, Mr Sheridan's spokesman, insisted nothing had gone wrong, that the Solidarity co-convener had managed to push his political points when given the chance, and that he had a clear strategy – to take the 100,000 fee and run.