Record numbers complain of Big Brother 'race bullies'

Celebrity Big Brother has prompted nearly 10,000 viewer complaints about alleged racist bullying.

British media watchdog Ofcom had received a record 7,600 calls and emails by the end of today about the treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

A further 2,000 viewers contacted Channel 4 to voice their dismay.

They believe housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara have made racist jibes about the Indian actress.

An anti-bullying charity supported by Jade has now dropped her from its website.

Jade has backed Act Against Bullying for the past two years. But founder Louise Burfitt-Dons said her behaviour towards Shilpa was “unforgivable”.

The controversy spread to Parliament today when Labour MP Keith Vaz tabled a motion on the subject in the House of Commons.

British Asians posted messages on websites saying they were appalled by the programme.

And TV star Meera Syal branded the show a “vile spectacle”.

The Goodness Gracious Me star told the BBC Asian Network: “What this treatment of Shilpa has done is remind a lot of Asian people in Britain of the type of uncomfortable treatment they’ve received themselves over the years.

“This is bullying and we mustn’t forget the impressionable people who watch this show.

“There is a very thin line between what is entertainment and a vile spectacle and I think we are in that area now.”

She told the Anita Rani programme: “I’m just surprised that there has been no official comment on it yet, really, with this number of complaints.

“They’ve made a rather bland statement about condemning racism of any kind. But I’m just wondering if on their last series, for example, the Tourette’s sufferer had been called a ‘spaz’ on a regular basis, whether they would have let that continue?”

And she added: “I certainly wouldn’t have taken as much as Shilpa has taken, and I admire her completely. She has really held her ground.”

Channel 4 release a statement tonight stressing that Shilpa had made no complaints of racism.

It read: “Matters of bullying or racial abuse in any form are taken extremely seriously by Channel 4 and (programme maker) Endemol. The nature of the show often includes incidents where conflicts arise and housemates are encouraged to resolve issues among themselves.

“Housemates are closely monitored at all times to ensure they have the appropriate support inside the house which includes being able to talk in confidence to producers.

“Shilpa herself has not voiced any concerns of racial slurs or bullying against her.

“Appropriate measures to reprimand individual behaviour would take place where necessary.”

The 7,600 complaints made to Ofcom are the highest number ever received about any series of Big Brother.

Leicester East MP Mr Vaz tabled an early day motion on the subject after he was contacted by constituents.

It read: “This House views with concern the comments made about Big Brother contestant Shilpa Shetty by other housemates; believes that Big Brother has a role to play in preventing racist behaviour in the Big Brother house; regrets that these comments have been made; and calls on the programme to take urgent action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable.”

Mr Vaz said: “We would not tolerate this kind of racism on other types of television programme and we should not do so on a programme that is watched by millions of people.”

He later told Sky News: “We would stamp on this behaviour if it was during a football match, so why not in this case?

“Channel 4 has a duty to tell the housemates there are limits. It is totally unacceptable.

“We can be fun without being rude and insensitive to people about their ethnic origin or country of origin. This is 2007, this is the UK, this is a multi-cultural society.”

Mr Vaz said Shilpa was “a person of immense dignity” who had not complained of racism because she had not heard every remark.

“We are watching it and can see what’s happening. She doesn’t see half the stuff being said about her because it’s being said sniggeringly behind her back. She will only know when she comes out of the house. In the meantime, the housemates need reminding there is a way to behave,” he said.

Ofcom said the number of complaints had been driven by websites with forums devoted to Big Brother.

On www.digitalspy.co.uk, many viewers expressed their outrage at the treatment of Shilpa.

“As an Indian, I feel thoroughly ashamed. It seems racism is still rife in this country,” wrote one.

Another said: “It makes me feel sad and ashamed. Why do people have to behave like this? And why do so many people find it easy to apologise and rationalise?

“I’m not calling it racism – but I imagine there are a great many Indians living in this country who certainly feel more isolated because of this and more fixed in their beliefs that this country would never truly embrace them.”

Anti-bullying campaigners said Channel 4 should step in.

Mandy Telford, of trade union Amicus, told Sky News: “It is clear to everybody that Shilpa is being bullied and it is getting worse.

“Channel 4 and Big Brother are not doing anything. They are condoning this behaviour and it has an impact on people watching it – implying that this kind of bullying is OK.

“I think it has gone beyond just a story about Big Brother. Millions of workers are bullied on a daily basis and if they go home after work to see this on a TV show, they will think that maybe it is OK.”

Friends of former Miss England Danielle jumped to her defence and insisted: “She’s no racist.”

Fellow model Leeandra Anderson said: “I can say 110% that Danielle is not racist.

“It’s horrible to see her being accused of racism and I’m so shocked by what people are saying. It’s not the Danielle I know.

“She would be mortified if she could see what’s being written about her.”

Ms Anderson, 21, from north London, added: “Out of 10 of Danielle’s close friends, half of them are probably from different races and cultures. We’ve even got a friend who is half-Indian.”

She added: “There might be some bullying going on but it’s instigated by the others. Danielle is stuck in the middle and doesn’t know what to do.”

Another friend, 17-year-old Rochelle Wiseman, a former member of pop band S Club Juniors, also stuck up for Danielle.

“I can’t believe Danielle is being labelled a racist. It’s ridiculous,” she said.

“She wouldn’t like anyone putting their hands in her food, it’s nothing personal against Shilpa.

“Racism and bullying are really not in Danielle’s nature. These accusations are just silly.”

Danielle, 23, is dating West Ham footballer Teddy Sheringham.

Rochelle said: “I think he’ll be upset for her. He knows racism isn’t in her nature and it’s not very nice for someone to see their partner accused like this. He’s very protective of her.”

She also counts Jo O’Meara as a friend and insisted: “There’s nothing racist about her either. Jo is a really nice, down-to-earth girl.”