Big Brother Bullying Boosts Viewing Figures
The international controversy currently raging over the bullying in the Celebrity Big Brother house had viewers flocking to their televisions in droves last night.
The show, on Channel 4 at 9pm, attracted a peak of 5.1 million adults for the last fifteen minutes of its duration.
Following Donny Tourette’s great escape it seemed as if this series of the celebrity reality show was heading for the doldrums, but with Jade, Jo and Danielle taking a serious dislike to Bollywood superstar Shilpa Shetty, viewing figures have picked up dramatically.
Last night’s episode averaged 4.7 million adult viewers across its whole running time, a 20.8% share of all adults watching television at the time.
The show has been gradually attracting more viewers as the week has gone on, going from a peak of 3.3 million adult viewers on Monday, to 4.3 million on Tuesday, and then to yesterday’s figure of 5.1 million.
The alleged racism faced by Shetty in the house has seen acres of press coverage both in the UK and in India, with Chancellor Gordon Brown commenting on the show whilst on a diplomatic visit to the country.
In a statement, Channel 4 once again moved to quell fears that they are not taking the accusations as seriously as they might: “To date there has been no overt racial abuse or racist behaviour directed against Shilpa Shetty within the Big Brother house. However there has undoubtedly been a cultural and class clash between her and three of the British females in the house.
“Unambiguous racist behaviour and language is not tolerated under any circumstances in the Big Brother house. Housemates are constantly monitored and Channel 4 would intervene if a clear instance of this arose.
“Shilpa has not voiced any concerns of racial abuse to Big Brother. Housemates have access to support from Big Brother at all times.”
Seemingly in contradiction to this statement though, viewers last night saw Shetty make accusations of racism during a conversation with fellow contestant Cleo Rocos.
Some reports have said that Shetty and Jade Goody are both candidates for eviction, with Goody the favourite to be voted off.
However, as well as Celebrity Big Brother performed last night, detective drama Taggart, on ITV1, managed to attract a peak audience of 5.5 million adults just after it began at 9pm.
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