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Big Brother boosted amid race row Big Brother boosted amid race row
(10 minutes later)
Celebrity Big Brother drew its third-largest audience of the series as alleged racism on the Channel 4 show prompted thousands of complaints.Celebrity Big Brother drew its third-largest audience of the series as alleged racism on the Channel 4 show prompted thousands of complaints.
The main highlights programme averaged 4.5 million viewers on Tuesday, up from 3.5 million on Monday and 3.9 million on Tuesday last week.The main highlights programme averaged 4.5 million viewers on Tuesday, up from 3.5 million on Monday and 3.9 million on Tuesday last week.
TV regulator Ofcom said it was looking into a record 13,000 complaints about treatment of Indian star Shilpa Shetty. TV regulator Ofcom said it was looking into a record 14,500 complaints about treatment of Indian star Shilpa Shetty.
Show sponsor Carphone Warehouse has denied it is reviewing the deal.Show sponsor Carphone Warehouse has denied it is reviewing the deal.
"We are against racism in any shape or form and have full faith in Channel 4 and that they will deal with any serious allegations such as this in the appropriate way," a spokesman said."We are against racism in any shape or form and have full faith in Channel 4 and that they will deal with any serious allegations such as this in the appropriate way," a spokesman said.
A House of Commons Early Day Motion was tabled on Tuesday about the issue.
Hertfordshire Police said two e-mail threats against housemates had been sent to Channel 4, but would not say if they related to the alleged racism.Hertfordshire Police said two e-mail threats against housemates had been sent to Channel 4, but would not say if they related to the alleged racism.
This House calls on the programme to take urgent action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable House of Commons Early Day Motion What is an Early Day Motion? The 13,000 complaints received by Ofcom is a record for a television broadcast. This House calls on the programme to take urgent action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable House of Commons Early Day Motion What is an Early Day Motion? The approximately 14,500 complaints received by Ofcom is a record for a television broadcast.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz tabled an Early Day Motion to raise the issue in the House of Commons after being contacted by constituents. A further 2,000 complaints have been made directly to Channel 4.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz tabled an Early Day Motion on Tuesday to raise the issue in the House of Commons after being contacted by constituents.
The motion said that the House viewed "with concern the comments made about Big Brother contestant Shilpa Shetty by other housemates".The motion said that the House viewed "with concern the comments made about Big Brother contestant Shilpa Shetty by other housemates".
It said that "Big Brother has a role to play in preventing racist behaviour in the Big Brother house" and "calls on the programme to take urgent action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable". It added that "Big Brother has a role to play in preventing racist behaviour in the Big Brother house" and "calls on the programme to take urgent action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable".
Housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara have been seen making fun of the Bollywood star's accent. HAVE YOUR SAY I think the whole thing has been blown completely out of proportion Donna, Essex class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5271&edition=1&ttl=20070116110801">Send us your comments A Downing Street spokesman said that Tony Blair would not comment on a programme he had not seen, but added: "His position on racism is well known - racism of any kind is wrong."
The Indian government is awaiting a report on the programme and could raise the matter with the UK.
Anand Sharma, India's junior minister for external affairs, said: "The government will take appropriate measures once it gets to know the full details. Racism has no place in civilised society."
Housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara have been seen making fun of Bollywood star Shetty's accent.
'Absolutely absurd''Absolutely absurd'
On Monday night's episode, former S Club 7 star O'Meara reportedly suggested that Indians were thin because they were always ill as a result of undercooking their food.On Monday night's episode, former S Club 7 star O'Meara reportedly suggested that Indians were thin because they were always ill as a result of undercooking their food.
The trio also complained that Shetty had touched other housemates' food with her hands.The trio also complained that Shetty had touched other housemates' food with her hands.
Former beauty queen Lloyd said: "You don't know where those hands have been."Former beauty queen Lloyd said: "You don't know where those hands have been."
Mr Vaz told GMTV on Wednesday: "The language that is being used, the way in which it is being used, the things that are being said, are just not acceptable in this day and age." Goody, a late arrival in the house, has repeatedly argued with ShettyMr Vaz told GMTV on Wednesday: "The language that is being used, the way in which it is being used, the things that are being said, are just not acceptable in this day and age."
But a friend of Lloyd, Leeandra Anderson, said that the suggestion the housemate was racist was "absolutely absurd".But a friend of Lloyd, Leeandra Anderson, said that the suggestion the housemate was racist was "absolutely absurd".
"I've known Danielle for five years now and not once has she had a racist undertone in her voice ever," she told BBC Radio Five Live. "I've known Danielle for five years now and not once has she had a racist undertone in her voice ever," she told BBC Radio Five Live
A programme spokesman previously defended the decision to show the offending footage.
"The social interactions of the group are part of the Big Brother story and viewers have a right to see these portrayed accurately.
"This is balanced with our duty not to broadcast material that may cause unjustifiable offence."