MEDIA watchdog Ofcom has received 200 complaints about alleged racism in Celebrity Big Brother.
Viewers believe Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is being targeted by housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara because she is Indian.
Jade Goody's mother, Jackiey, repeatedly referred to Shilpa as "the Indian" while she was on the show and refused to pronounce her name.
Over the weekend, former beauty queen Danielle Lloyd and ex-S Club 7 star Jo O'Meara poked fun at Shilpa's accent.
Big Brother fans have been debating the racism question on websites.
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."
Jade, Danielle and Jo have ganged up on Shilpa in recent days.
When Shilpa tried to console Danielle after Carole Malone's eviction on Friday night, the girls were unimpressed.
"She makes me feel sick. She makes my skin crawl," said Jade, with Danielle adding: "She's a dog."
Tears
Last night Shilpa ended up in floods of tears.
She made a roast chicken for the group - only for Jo to refuse it.
"I don't trust that chicken. I want to eat it but I'm scared," Jo complained, claiming it was undercooked and too spicy.
The bullying has become so bad that ex-Steps star Ian claimed: "It's turning into that film - Lord Of The Flies."
"Were they bullying Shilpa last night?" asked Jermaine Jackson today.
"Yeah," Ian replied. "I'm not playing those games. I'm not going to be part of it."
Shilpa emerged from the bedroom hiding her eyes behind dark glasses.
Stronger
She put on a brave face, insisting: "This will make me into a stronger person."
Jermaine reckoned Shilpa should use her martial arts training, advising her to "whip out some of that kung fu".
The Jackson Five star said of Jade, Jo and Danielle: "They have their club. Maybe it's an age thing."
He told Shilpa: "Jade can't read you because she's not on your level. It's like going to a meeting and it all going over your head. You have to stay true to the person in your heart."
And in the words of his brother Michael, he told her: "Look at the song Man In The Mirror. They need to look in the mirror before they can make that change."
Carole
Evicted housemate Carole Malone does not believe the bullying is racist.
Instead she says it is motivated by jealousy of Shilpa's beauty.
"Shilpa is too good-looking for her own good," Carole 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."
Carole added: "Shilpa feels that she represents the Indian/Asian community and doesn't want to let them or herself down by retaliating.
"She's a very dignified woman and she doesn't want to lose it. That's why she's desperately trying to keep it all together."
:: The housemates are facing some sticky moments in their new shopping task.
The nine celebrities must take part in the Red Carpet assault course.
Dressed in ballgowns and tuxedos, they will have nine minutes to negotiate a course set up in the garden.
Obstacles include a gunge-filled "VIP Pit" and a "Champagne Fountain".
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Ann, Spain (15/01/2007 at 18:28)
Shilpa is a lovely young woman
Sasha, London (15/01/2007 at 18:31)
Rana, London (15/01/2007 at 18:41)
I too have faced similar prejudices both at school when I first came to this country and now at work. You canâ€TMt get away from these prejudices in most parts of UK.
The problem is one of cultural differences and whilst the majority of the Indian community (and I agree not all) have tried their best to integrate with the British society, we will never be accepted fully and I have learnt to live with it.
If the problem was one of ignorance we could tackle it by educating the British society, but the problem is one of indifference and unfortunately nothing can be done about that.
Rana. London
sigh, tire glas (15/01/2007 at 18:41)
So get off your high horse's and take a leaf out of Shilpa's publicist who said that "we are all , Whites , Indians, Pakastani's Gods children."
Try to be a nicer people yourselves instead of being selective about your values. Om Shanti
k, west midlands (15/01/2007 at 18:53)
jade should know better, shes not even given shipa a chance or her mother....
B McDowell, Dublin,Ireland (15/01/2007 at 19:25)
mumta sharma, manchester (15/01/2007 at 19:47)
i don't usually watch BB but since shilpa has been in it, i decided to give it a go. I must say that i am disgusted at her treatment. Its not because she is a big bollywood star, or even because shes beautiful. Shes recieving this ill treatment because jade goody, danielle and jo and jackiey are racist. I cannot begin to understand why BB has not apprehended any of these people. Its disgusting that comments like 'indian' can be used so casually when referring to a person with a name. They all bully her and BB Big mouth even tried to turn it intp a joke. Please big brother do something about this!! Shilpa may not be the easiest person to live with, but no one deserves this humilliation.
Sam, Hertfordshire (15/01/2007 at 21:10)
Andy, north london (15/01/2007 at 21:15)
Achal, Croydon (15/01/2007 at 21:24)
Chris, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 21:49)
ashmi kapila, London (15/01/2007 at 21:50)
I believe that these individuals should no longer be on the show and should be evicted to send the message that these comments are unacceptable. This programme should be entertaining and humourous, it should not be to watch paid, uneducated, racist individuals.
S Berry, Cambbridge (15/01/2007 at 21:51)
Their comments about the food, indians eating with their hands etc etc are disgraceful.
mayoor patel, london (15/01/2007 at 21:55)
KALDIP KAUR, london (15/01/2007 at 21:56)
wolverhampton massive. aka mandy, wolverhampton (15/01/2007 at 22:15)
and the clear discrimination shown towards shilpa, who is clearly trying to fit in. all the other people in their dont even deserve to be in there. i hope they get what they deserve from the media as they leave as they deserve to reep the consequences
ged, salford6 (15/01/2007 at 22:22)
Nalan Mehmet, Orpington (15/01/2007 at 22:25)
Rosie, Erdington (15/01/2007 at 22:32)
Secondly, when shipla was making the chicken and some of the housemates said it wasn't cooked yet, Danielle said, 'that's the way THEY must cook it', emaphasising on the word 'they'. Who is they?
Big brother needs to explain to some housemates how seriously racism is taken.
This has upset me very much, this is a serious matter and something needs to be done fast.
claire, birmingham (15/01/2007 at 22:37)
Suman Kanda, birmingham (15/01/2007 at 22:39)
Shamy, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 22:39)
Barbara, North East (15/01/2007 at 22:39)
They are an utter disgrace and not even worthy to lick Shilpa's Boots !!! I am so angry that nobody in the house is defending Shilpa ! It is bullying at its worst.
Shilpa, you go girl !! Keep strong and win "Big Bro" you deserve it !
J, London (15/01/2007 at 22:42)
Stacy Smith, London (15/01/2007 at 22:51)