SHILPA SHETTY WINS CELEBRITY 'BIG BROTHER'
(28 January 2007)

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was tonight announced as the winner of Channel 4's 'Celebrity Big Brother' reality TV show, gaining 67% of the overall votes cast. The programme has been the centre of controversy following the airing of racist comments about the star. Shilpa, when shown clips of the controversial scenes by presenter Davina McCall, magnanimously said "We are all human beings and as such we all make mistakes, we are all fallible....as long as we can apologise.. I'd just like to forget it and move on".

Ofcom has (to date) received nearly 40,000 complaints from viewers about the racist bullying seen on the show and is planning to investigate further. Channel 4 has been unrepentant in continuing with the show. The producers of the show have maintained that "it is in the nature of Big Brother that conflicts arise and housemates are encouraged to resolve issues among themselves. However there has undoubtedly been a cultural and class clash between her and three of the British females in the house."

Mayor Ken Livingstone had condemned the station, stating "Channel Four’s statement today pretending that they cannot decide if there is racism in Celebrity Big Brother is absurd, and their failure to take any action to put a stop to the racism on this show is an evasion of the responsibilities of a broadcasting company."

POLL FINDS SHETTY FACED RACISM

This was reinforced by the results of a poll carried out by The Hindu Forum of Britain at the height of the Celebrity Big Brother race and bullying controversy, which suggested that respondents overwhelmingly felt that Shilpa Shetty was a victim of racism and bullying and that the majority felt that Channel 4 should have scrapped the programme.

Eighty three per cent of the respondents felt that Shilpa was a victim of racism, while 95% felt she was also a victim of bullying. The term ‘Poppadom’ was considered to be either a racist slur (51%) or was deeply offensive (32%) and her overall treatment by Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara was totally unacceptable for 80% of respondents.

'BIG BROTHER' SHOW SHOULD BE SCRAPPED

Despite her treatment respondents felt that Shetty should do nothing (47%) when she comes out of the Big Brother House while the broadcaster was heavily criticised over its handing of the controversy with 55% suggesting the show should be scrapped.

Despite the racist behaviour of some of the contestants in the House, the majority thought that Britain was not totally racist but rather had some elements of racism (53%), although 41% did feel that Goody represented the reality of racism in Britain. Of those responding, 58% had been a victim of racism, with many citing anecdotal incidents from personal experiences.

Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain, said: “The findings confirm our own feelings that there was definitely an undertone of racism in the Celebrity Big Brother House and that action should have been taken sooner to prevent the racist bullying behaviour from getting worse. Whilst recognising that racism exists in Britain, respondents did not feel it was prevalent and, despite the fact that many respondents had been a victim of racism, the majority felt it was contained amongst a minority of the population and that in general the UK is tolerant of different faiths and races.

“We will be sending the results of our findings to Channel 4, OFCOM and the Department of Media Culture and Sport requesting them to take action and develop an appropriate policy to prevent such abuse from being broadcast in the media.”

TERRIBLE TRIO NOT INVITED TO CELEBRATE

Two those at the centre of the bullying: disgraced Miss England, Danielle Lloyd and Jade Goody's boyfriend Jack Tweed, were the first two to be evicted in tonight's show. They are followed by former Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins, A-Team actor Dirk Benedict and finally, runner-up Jermaine Jackson.

The three at the centre of the bullying accusations: Jade Goody, disgraced Miss England, Danielle Lloyd and steps singer Jo O'Meara were not invited to attend sister show 'Big Brother: Big Mouth', a follow-up programme that saw all the celebrity housemates return to celebrate Shetty's win.

Shilpa Shetty is expected to return to India to renewed interest in her film career, an offer to host a reality TV show of her own and countless appearances and interviews in addition to the reported £300,000 fee paid by 'Big Brother' for her to take part in the show.

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