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Racism row housemate apologises Racism row housemate apologises
(about 1 hour later)
Big Brother contestant Emily Parr has been shown apologising for using a racially offensive word to another housemate on the Channel 4 show. Big Brother contestant Emily Parr has been shown apologising for using a racially offensive word to another housemate on the reality show.
In scenes filmed as she was being told to leave the show, the 19-year-old drama student said she had not meant the word in an offensive way. In scenes filmed as she was being told to leave the Channel 4 show, the 19-year-old drama student said she had not meant the word in an offensive way.
Emily, of Bristol, said the word was "a friendly term" where she came from.Emily, of Bristol, said the word was "a friendly term" where she came from.
Her comment to a black housemate was aired on Thursday night, but the show was prefaced by a warning.Her comment to a black housemate was aired on Thursday night, but the show was prefaced by a warning.
Channel 4 spokeswoman had said earlier in the day that "such behaviour won't be tolerated".Channel 4 spokeswoman had said earlier in the day that "such behaviour won't be tolerated".
This week's eviction vote, in which Emily had been nominated along with Shabnam Paryani, has been suspended.This week's eviction vote, in which Emily had been nominated along with Shabnam Paryani, has been suspended.
Channel 4 has offered to refund viewers who have already called telephone lines to evict either Emily or Shabnam.Channel 4 has offered to refund viewers who have already called telephone lines to evict either Emily or Shabnam.
Charley Uchea is the cousin of footballer Kieran RichardsonCharley Uchea is the cousin of footballer Kieran Richardson
In Thursday night's highlights programme, the word Emily used was aired the first time - to give the context of the conversation - but was cut thereafter.In Thursday night's highlights programme, the word Emily used was aired the first time - to give the context of the conversation - but was cut thereafter.
Emily said: "Are you pushing it out, you nigger?" to Charley Uchea while they were dancing in the living room on Wednesday evening.Emily said: "Are you pushing it out, you nigger?" to Charley Uchea while they were dancing in the living room on Wednesday evening.
Emily was later called into the programme's diary room.Emily was later called into the programme's diary room.
When asked to explain what happened, she said she and Charley, together with fellow housemate Nicky Maxwell, had been joking around.When asked to explain what happened, she said she and Charley, together with fellow housemate Nicky Maxwell, had been joking around.
She said it was a "friendly term" where she came from, "not a hurtful word" and that she had not meant it in an offensive way.She said it was a "friendly term" where she came from, "not a hurtful word" and that she had not meant it in an offensive way.
'No justification''No justification'
When Big Brother put it to Emily that the word could be deemed offensive she said: "Yeah, I totally understand. It wasn't the smartest move to make."When Big Brother put it to Emily that the word could be deemed offensive she said: "Yeah, I totally understand. It wasn't the smartest move to make."
I am so sorry - I really didn't mean it offensively Emily ParrI am so sorry - I really didn't mean it offensively Emily Parr
Big Brother told her the word was "seriously unacceptable" before telling her she would be removed from the house.Big Brother told her the word was "seriously unacceptable" before telling her she would be removed from the house.
Emily said: "Oh my god, I'm so sorry.Emily said: "Oh my god, I'm so sorry.
"What about my stuff? Oh my gosh.""What about my stuff? Oh my gosh."
She added: "I am so sorry - I really didn't mean it offensively."She added: "I am so sorry - I really didn't mean it offensively."
In consultation with broadcast executives, the decision was taken to remove Emily from the house because she had breached rules governing contestant behaviour.In consultation with broadcast executives, the decision was taken to remove Emily from the house because she had breached rules governing contestant behaviour.
Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team, said: "The word nigger is clearly racially offensive and there was no justification for its use."Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team, said: "The word nigger is clearly racially offensive and there was no justification for its use."
The decision to remove Emily was taken in the wake of the alleged racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year.The decision to remove Emily was taken in the wake of the alleged racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year.