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Big Brother to stay on air - C4 C4 bosses seek Big Brother review
(20 minutes later)
Channel 4 has said it will keep Celebrity Big Brother on air in the wake of the racism row over the reality television show. Channel 4 bosses have ordered a review of Big Brother following the racism row, but say that the current show will remain on air.
But chairman Luke Johnson said in a statement that the board had ordered a review of the programme and regretted any offence that had been caused. Chairman Luke Johnson said that the Channel 4 board "profoundly regret any offence that may have been caused".
The board had spent several hours discussing the alleged bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. The board had spent several hours discussing the alleged racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
The broadcaster had been facing calls to axe the show completely.The broadcaster had been facing calls to axe the show completely.
Mr Johnson said the board believed that last week's events on Celebrity Big Brother had triggered an important debate.
"Clearly many people were worried and offended by what they saw. I want to reassure them that we take the views of our audience very seriously and profoundly regret any offence that may have been caused."
HAVE YOUR SAY She has brought this all on herself - I hope she takes some time out to think about her actions Brenda, Essex Send us your comments Mr Johnson said the board had commissioned a review of the "editorial and compliance processes" of Big Brother.
"The board will receive a full report and seek to identify any lessons that can be learned for the future," he said.
Ofcom complaints
He added that Channel 4 expected to hear from the regulator Ofcom in the near future detailing the nature and number of complaints about Celebrity Big Brother.
"All board members of Channel 4 abhor racism. We are also committed to ensuring that the channel continues to fulfil its remit to explore important social issues," he said.
Channel 4's non-executive members include Labour peer Lord Puttnam, web entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox and ex-BBC News head Tony Hall.Channel 4's non-executive members include Labour peer Lord Puttnam, web entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox and ex-BBC News head Tony Hall.
Hall, now chief executive of the Royal Opera House, said earlier : "There is a very good debate to be had.
HAVE YOUR SAY She has brought this all on herself - I hope she takes some time out to think about her actions Brenda, Essex Send us your comments "I want to keep all my views for the board meeting in there."
Mr Johnson has already become the focus of demands from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to apologise for how the situation was handled.Mr Johnson has already become the focus of demands from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to apologise for how the situation was handled.
Last week Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan told a press conference the programme would not be pulled and any conflict in the Big Brother house had been closely monitored throughout.Last week Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan told a press conference the programme would not be pulled and any conflict in the Big Brother house had been closely monitored throughout.
Over the weekend Channel 4 was forced to deny that Goody - widely seen as the focus of antagonism to Shetty - had been coached on what to say in her post eviction interview.Over the weekend Channel 4 was forced to deny that Goody - widely seen as the focus of antagonism to Shetty - had been coached on what to say in her post eviction interview.
Goody, 25, admitted Shetty had been subjected to "bullying and racism" on the programme and her behaviour had been the "biggest mistake" of her life.Goody, 25, admitted Shetty had been subjected to "bullying and racism" on the programme and her behaviour had been the "biggest mistake" of her life.
Bookies favouriteBookies favourite
Media watchdog Ofcom said it had received about 40,000 complaints about the programme. Viewing figures for Friday's late edition of Celebrity Big Brother averaged 7.8 million - peaking at 8.8 million towards the end of the programme, according to unofficial overnight ratings.Media watchdog Ofcom said it had received about 40,000 complaints about the programme. Viewing figures for Friday's late edition of Celebrity Big Brother averaged 7.8 million - peaking at 8.8 million towards the end of the programme, according to unofficial overnight ratings.
Saturday's and Sunday's instalments averaged 3.1 million and 3.4 million viewers respectively.Saturday's and Sunday's instalments averaged 3.1 million and 3.4 million viewers respectively.
Following Goody's eviction bookmaker William Hill slashed the odds for Channel 4 axing the current Celebrity Big Brother series to 50-1.Following Goody's eviction bookmaker William Hill slashed the odds for Channel 4 axing the current Celebrity Big Brother series to 50-1.
It is offering 3-1 that no further series will be commissioned and 6-1 that there will be no more series of the non-celebrity version.It is offering 3-1 that no further series will be commissioned and 6-1 that there will be no more series of the non-celebrity version.
Shetty is now odds-on favourite to win the show, with William Hill cutting her price from 5-1 ten days ago to 8-11 now.Shetty is now odds-on favourite to win the show, with William Hill cutting her price from 5-1 ten days ago to 8-11 now.