'Britain's best dad' admits assaulting wife at Christmas (From Croydon Guardian)

'Britain's best dad' Keith Preddie pleads guilty to assaulting wife in South Norwood

8:00am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Andrew Bloss

A man formerly crowned Britain’s Best dad by GMTV has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife after an argument about Christmas presents.

Keith Preddie of Stanger Road, South Norwood, was tearful as he admitted attacking his wife Emma, at Croydon Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard the 44-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator, threw a plastic step at Mrs Preddie and pinned her to the sofa during the assault on December 19 last year.

Louise Thomas, prosecuting, told the court Mrs Preddie was wrapping presents when her husband entered the room and asked if there were any presents he could give to his mother.

She said: “She told Mr Preddie she had already given his mum a present at which point he became angry.

"Mrs Preddie said she would only talk to him if he calmed down. He then grabbed a washing frame and threw it at her but missed.

“She told him he better calm down and grow up, Mr Preddie then left the room.

"He re-entered after a short time and started shouting again. He threw a plastic step at her which hit her on the arm.”

Mrs Preddie then told him to get out which he then repeated back to her, the court was told.

She walked up to Preddie who then pinned her down with both arms against the sofa.

The father-of-four who is well known for his Michael Jackson impersonations and appeared on Channel 4’s reality TV show Come Dine With Me in 2011.

He then released a charity single called ‘Sharmone,’ after repeatedly using the word on the cookery competition.

Preddie will be sentenced on April 11.