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| Ofcom probes Big Brother ''racism'' |
1/16/2007 |
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Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is investigating complaints about alleged racism in Celebrity Big Brother against Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
Some 200 viewers have complained that the actress is being targeted by some housemates because she is Indian.
Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O''Meara have ganged up on Shetty in the past few days.
Channel 4 says that her treatment in the house is "girly rivalry" and that it won''t tolerate bullying or racism.
Jade Goody''s mother, Jackiey, repeatedly referred to Shilpa as "the Indian" while she was on the show and was unable to pronounce her name.
Over the weekend, former Miss Great Britain Danielle Lloyd and ex-S Club 7 star Jo O''Meara poked fun at Shilpa''s accent.
An Ofcom spokeswoman said: "We have had approximately 200 complaints of racism.
"Quite a lot of websites have been discussing the issue and urging people to get in contact with us. We will look into each individual complaint."
''Strong woman''
Evicted housemate Carole Malone has said she believes the incidents are motivated by jealousy.
"Shilpa is too good-looking for her own good," she told the BBC Asian Network.
"She''s an incredibly powerful and beautiful woman. She is a very strong woman and can handle it. I spoke to her about it when I was in the house."
Malone added: "Shilpa feels that she represents the Indian/Asian community and doesn''t want to let them or herself down by retaliating."
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