Big Brother gets 4,500 complaints of ‘racist bullying’

Celebrity Big Brother has now attracted 4,500 complaints about alleged racist bullying of housemate Shilpa Shetty.

Media watchdog Ofcom has received 3,500 — the highest number of complaints ever made about the show.

Channel 4 has received a further 1,000 emails and calls.

Angry viewers claim Bollywood actress Shilpa is being victimised by fellow housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara.

In Monday night’s episode, Jo said Indians are thin because they are always ill as a result of undercooking their food.

They also complained Shilpa had touched other housemates’ food with her hands.

Danielle sneered: “You don’t know where those hands have been.”

Allegations of racism first surfaced with Jade’s mum Jackie.

She repeatedly referred to Shilpa as “the Indian.”

Channel 4 said in a statement: “The social interactions and dynamics of the group are one of the key parts of the Big Brother story and viewers have a right to see these portrayed accurately — however this is balanced with our duty not to broadcast material that may cause unjustifiable offence.”