Big Brother Controversy Continues Ahead Of New Series
Media regulator Ofcom is running out of time to complete its investigation into complaints of racism on Channel 4’s previous series of Big Brother before the next series begins in a week.
Contestants Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara were accused of racist bullying towards eventual Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty in January.
The allegations caused a worldwide furore and subsequent PR and ratings coup for the broadcaster (see Big Bro Finale Crashes Out To Top Gear).
According to reports, the watchdog is hoping to reveal its verdict on the 46,000 or more complaints made about the celebrity show before the run of Big Brother 8, which was unveiled along with a redesigned house yesterday.
Channel 4, which also fielded an estimated 10,000 complaints directly, was criticised since it would not have time to learn the lessons of Ofcom’s inquiry.
The Labour MP Keith Vaz, who at the height of the row tabled an early day motion calling on producers to take action (see Big Brother Racism Complaints Reach An Estimated 20,000
Big Brother Racism Complaints Reach An Estimated 20,000
Big Brother Racism Complaints Reach An Estimated 20,000
Big Brother Racism Complaints Reach An Estimated 20,000 www.channel4.com Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk