Ex-Big Brother star cries as he's cleared of molesting a child | The Sun
AN EX-Big Brother star broke down in tears in court after he was cleared of molesting a child.
Callum Knell, 38, appeared on the TV reality show in 2013 in a series subtitled "Secrets and Lies"before taking up teaching the following year.
The former reality TV contestant went on to become a deputy headteacher and was at work when arrested in June 2020.
Callum was then charged with 12 sexual offences dating back to 2018, which he maintained were all lies.
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, took just under 17 hours to return not guilty verdicts amid emotional scenes.
Mr Knell sobbed after the verdict while one juror cried and two others held hands.
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As a Big Brother contestant 10 years ago, he was billed by the show's producers as a "confident and engaging ladies' man".
He entered the house on day one of what was the 14th series – the first to be presented by Emma Willis – and was the sixth contestant to be evicted by the public after lasting 51 days.
One of Callum's TV "highlights" was performing a raunchy striptease dressed in red thong and bow tie.
At his trial, however, Judge Robert Lazarus ruled the jury was not to be told of his brief touch with fame after expressing concerns about what he described as "a show usually featuring outrageous people and people behaving outrageously".
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They did however hear that the ex-Big Brother star had worked in banking before changing career paths and landing his first teaching job in 2014.
The dad of one, of Murrain Drive, Downswood, Maidstone, was employed as a deputy headteacher at Ditton Junior School near Maidstone when he was arrested.
Giving evidence, he told the court he was "shocked, angry and frustrated" over the allegations he had molested the youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
The honours degree graduate, who has also been a youth football coach, said he had never been subject to any safeguarding issues.
He also told the jury he had declined a solicitor when interviewed by police after his arrest as "I had nothing to hide".
Mr Knell maintained he had never behaved inappropriately with the child, repeatedly telling the court: "It never happened."
When asked by his barrister Tom Stern if he had shown affection towards the alleged victim, such as hugging, he replied: "That's not my way. I'm not that way inclined."
The jury heard Mr Knell was immediately suspended, as was protocol, from his school post – his third since the start of his teaching career – following his arrest.
A former colleague who held a safeguarding role told the court he was "respected, admired and a man of sound moral character".
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As he was released from the dock, Judge Lazarus told him: "Think about getting your life back again. I wish you well for the future."
Callum, who was supported in court throughout his two-week trial by his girlfriend, did not wish to comment after the verdicts.
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