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What happened to reality TV love rat Calum Best? Star turned fitness fanatic battled drug addiction, love child accusations and a struggle to escape his late father’s shadow

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For fans from a particular era of the 2000s, Calum Best was widely recognized as one of the most prominent figures in reality television.

Before the term “nepotism baby” was even invented, the celebrity in question was the son of the late football legend George Best. He tried to launch his own career by participating in Celebrity Love Island.

Over the subsequent years, Calum developed a notorious playboy image, which was further tarnished when a sex tape was leaked in 2017 during his time on Celebrity Big Brother, as well as allegations that he had fathered an illegitimate child at some point.

Currently, this individual openly admits a passion for fitness, boasting numerous tattoos. Additionally, they’ve made appearances on reality shows such as Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Ex On The Beach, and SAS: Who Can Handle the Toughest?

However, his tumultuous romantic affairs frequently grabbed attention, as he dated a variety of women such as Sarah Harding, Bianca Gascoigne, and even Lindsay Lohan.

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Calum experienced a challenging upbringing being the child of former footballer George, who faced a public struggle with alcohol addiction.

In an interview from 2017, he shared information about his father’s struggle after undergoing a liver transplant, which eventually led to a relapse.

In the year 2002, after claiming he had overcome his alcoholism, it was Calum who discovered him, when the Best family was enjoying their vacation elsewhere.

In my own words, I recall the moment I unexpectedly encountered the esteemed footballer, Calum. Upon seeing him take a sip from that bottle, I instinctively knew it was him. Then, a wave of disbelief struck me, “Oh no!” The realization hit me hard, and for a moment, I considered abandoning my pursuit entirely.

After that, his life returned to heavy drinking, and he continued to drink excessively until it led to a tragic end. I still recall that journey leaving me bewildered, saddened, and deeply troubled.

Regarding the impact that returning had on Calum, causing him to gradually decline, he stated: “Upon coming back, I indulged in substance abuse, excessive drinking, and reckless sexual encounters.

In 2005, George’s long struggle against alcohol addiction ultimately claimed his life, plunging Calum into a downward spiral of self-destruction and sorrow.

During this period, Calum also competed as a celebrity participant in Love Island, and emerged victorious alongside Bianca Gascoigne in the second season of the show.

Despite their winning title, the pair split up shortly after their stint on the dating series.

Previously, Calum was well-known for his tumultuous romantic endeavors, as he once dated the popular singer Sarah from Girls Aloud in the year 2005.

In the year 2006, he had a short-lived love affair with Kimberly, the daughter of Rod Stewart. However, their connection didn’t last long.

2006 saw Calum entering a relationship with Lindsay Lohan, an actress then riding high on the success of Mean Girls, providing him opportunities to mingle with some of Tinseltown’s elite.

But then things changed dramatically when Calum admitted that Lindsay had actually ended their relationship due to his persistent attempts to flirt with other women. In his memoir, he wrote: “We’re a volatile mix. At the time, we were both a little unstable.

‘We both like to party a lot and it makes things tempestuous.’

In the year 2011, Calum briefly pursued a relationship with glamour model Georgia Salpa, and by 2016, there were whispers that he was involved with reality TV personality Chloe Sims from TOWIE.

At first, neither Chloe nor Calum commented on the dating speculations, however, later on, during an interview with The Daily Star, Chloe herself called Calum her ‘former partner.’

In the subsequent months of the same year, I found myself making an appearance on the American reality dating show, Famously Single. During my time there, I developed a relationship with another renowned reality personality, Brandi Glanville. Regrettably, our romance met its end following a passionate argument that was captured for public viewing.

Amidst a string of well-known romantic partners, Calum is alleged to have fathered an illegitimate child. This claim arose when Lorna Hogan, aged 33, became pregnant a day prior to the memorial service for his father, George Best.

Back in 2015, I affirmed that Calum allegedly declined to undergo a paternity test, and further asserted that he left behind his precious little girl Amelia.

In an interview with The Mirror, she shared that all she can comment is that they don’t know each other, and he has no interest in her – it’s quite painful.

She asserted that a DNA test had been arranged via Calum’s mother, Angie, later on, but he allegedly didn’t show up for it.

In 2017, Calum refuted these allegations in a message to a fan on X, stating: “I took a paternity test to prove that the child wasn’t mine, God bless.

George’s personal battles with alcoholism frequently caused distress for Calum, as he often felt intense frustration, which he likened to demonic anger, due to his father’s consumption habits.

2007 marked a turning point in his life when it began to unravel due to his struggle with substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs.

At that moment, Calum expressed himself by saying, “I have a reckless lifestyle. I often indulge in excessive drinking, use cocaine, and engage in foolish, immoral actions with the wrong company of women.

For quite some time, I’ve been living a life with many experiences, and unfortunately, for the last six years, I’ve been struggling with drug use. Additionally, I have a problem with alcohol consumption that often spirals out of my control.

‘Coke (referring to Coca-Cola) can lead to uncontrolled behavior and questionable situations with the wrong crowd. When under the influence, I do reckless, irrational things. As a man, I have a strong desire for sexual experiences and find myself addicted to it.

Or:

Consuming Coke (as in Coca-Cola) can sometimes put me in risky situations with the wrong company. While under the influence, I tend to act impulsively and foolishly. As a man, I have a strong sexual drive and find myself unable to resist it.

I don’t necessarily need to emulate my father, yet I can’t help feeling his influence coursing within me. It’s crucial for me to address my issues before they become irreversible.

Over time, Calum has persistently pursued finding love, frequently appearing on reality dating programs like Celebrity Ex on the Beach and Celebs Go Dating.

Previously, he shared with The Mirror: “I’m taking part because I’m still unattached and I’m hoping to meet someone special. Maybe this could be the person I’ve been looking for.

‘The thing is, if I can’t find a f*****g Mrs in my private life then I’m going to try elsewhere

I recall being advised that when chances present themselves, seize them. If these opportunities align with good intentions, then by all means, pursue them.

Apart from that, Calum has spent time twice inside the Celebrity Big Brother house. Initially, he placed third in the competition.

In January 2024, Calum was found not guilty of sexually assaulting a British tourist at Wayne Lineker’s beach club in Ibiza.

The three judges determined that the Spanish state prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence to persuade them that Calum compelled his accuser to place her hand inside his pants, near his genitalia, as she testified in court.

Instead of external confirmation, they highlighted the absence of supporting evidence for the tourist’s account of events. They also wondered aloud as to why neither the female companion who was with her nor the security guard she claimed to have approached for help were asked to testify.

Through an Instagram Story accompanying a segment from the news verifying his not guilty verdict, he expressed: ‘Truth has triumphed! I’ve been found not guilty and emerged victorious in court. A big thank you to each one of you for your encouraging words.’

He concluded his heartfelt post, set against the backdrop of a picturesque scene featuring a tranquil lake and distant rolling hills, with a symbol of affection (heart emoticon).

Lately, Calum has been focusing less on reality TV and more on his love for fitness, while also holding the position of chairman for the Dorking Wanderers FC women’s team.

Apart from frequently posting shirtless photos on Instagram, he’s also a consistent participant in the yearly Sellebrity soccer charity events.

Apart from his roles, he is also the head of NACOA, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, and he creates beautiful crystal jewelry under the brand name Aura by Calu.

Recently, Calum’s business ventures have faced difficulties, leading him to bring in liquidators to wind down his struggling media company, Transforming Troubles to Triumph.

The liquidators reportedly found an unpaid £85,625 tax bill as well as a £48,971 director’s loan.

As a die-hard admirer, I’m thrilled to share the news: Given his current financial standing, Calum has graciously agreed to part with a significant portion of his wealth—a staggering £60,000—out of the £250,000 he’s rumored to possess. This sum will be doled out in manageable monthly installments.

The liquidators communicated that after substantial discussions with the director, taking into account his present financial situation, they’ve reached an agreement for a complete and conclusive settlement amounting to £60,000.

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2025-06-07 09:36

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