Celebrity Big Brother 2007 racism controversy

You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|January 2007|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.

The Celebrity Big Brother 2007 racism controversy occured during series 5 of the British version of Celebrity Big Brother. The show had been heavily criticised by both fans and the media; much of the criticism was focused around the treatment of housemate Shilpa Shetty by three of the other 'housemates' on the programme. The three in question were Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.

UK media regulator Ofcom received more than 50,000 complaints ^[1][2][3] - a record number for a British television programme after transmission. Channel 4 received an additional 3,000 complaints,^[4][5] about racism and bullying by housemates against Shetty. The Eastern Eye newspaper launched an online petition that registered over 30,000 signatures.^[6][7] Channel 4 initially described the situation as "girly rivalry" but later admitted there had "undoubtedly been a cultural clash between her and three of the British females in the house".^[8]

The accusations were based on the following actions:

• Jade Goody's mother, Jackiey Budden, repeatedly referred to Shilpa as "the Indian" or "Princess" while she was on the show because was unable to pronounce her name.^[9] However, during her eviction interview, Davina coerced Jackiey into saying "Shilpa" and Jackiey pronounced it properly, although a bit agitated.

• Jack Tweed, Jade's boyfriend, called Shilpa Shetty a "fucking [expletive]", with the bleeped-out expletive variously reported as "cunt"^[10] and "Paki". ^[11]

• On Days 11 and 12, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara poked fun at Shilpa's accent.^[9] Lloyd has also referred to Shilpa as a "dog".^[12]

• Jo implied that all Indians were thin because they were always ill as a result of undercooking their food because she believed Shilpa undercooked a chicken meal.^[9]

• Referring to Shilpa using hair bleaching cream on her face, Danielle said "she's trying to make her face look white."^[9]

• After an argument between Shilpa and Jade, witnessed by a giggling Jo and Danielle, Danielle said she thought Shilpa should "just fuck off home" and (in response to Shilpa's recommendation that Jade take etiquette lessons) that Shilpa could not speak English properly.^[13] She also mentioned to Jo that she didn't like Shilpa touching her food because "you don't know where her hands have been". The next morning, Danielle spoke to Shilpa about the situation, but did not apologise. During the conversation in the bedroom, Jade entered, sat in front of Danielle, blocking out Shilpa, and began doing makeup. As Shilpa left, Danielle told Jade that she "tried apologising to her". Later Danielle made an awkward attempt to apologize by saying "I feel really bad, I feel disgusted with myself the way I've treated you and the way I've acted, because I'm not like that, Shilpa, really," ... "And you can even cook me curry and you can pick the onions out with your fingers."^[14]

• Jade referred to Shilpa as, among other things, 'Shilpa Popadom', 'Shilpa Durupa' and 'Shilpa Fuckawala'. She later said she had done this with no intention of racism. Commenting on this in the Diary Room, she apologised if her actions had offended anybody.^[15][16]

• Even after Jade apologised to Shilpa (On day 16), Jack continued to abuse Shilpa. Jack confessed that he was very disappointed with Jade for apologising to Shilpa, and called Shilpa a "dick". He previously described Shilpa as a "wanker".^[17]

The three girls under most scrutiny for racist accusations — Goody, Lloyd and O'Meara - repeatedly stated, amongst each other and the other housemates, that they feel Shilpa is a 'fake' and a 'phony'.^[18]

Various media outlets initially characterized the issue as 'girlish rivalry'^[19] but later blamed it on bullying and racism. As time progressed, the majority of media coverage on Goody became negative, although accusations of racism were superseded by those of bullying. An editorial published by The Daily Mirror on 18 January 2007 called Beauty V Bigot deplored what they referred to as "disgraceful racist bullying of Big Brother's Shilpa Shetty" and criticised Channel 4 management for maintaining that there wasn't a racial element to the bullying.^[20] The British tabloids mostly concentrated on the comments made by Goody, rather than those made by Jack, Danielle and Jo towards Shilpa, as well as the bullying from them. For instance, when Jade and Shilpa were arguing over Oxo cubes, Shilpa pleaded with Jo for assistance by saying “Jo, I mean, are you going to say something here what is happening here?” to which Jo responded by bursting out laughing into Shilpa's face. Jermaine later said "when all this was going on I saw Danielle and Jo laughing and then branded them as “the allies”."

This controversy has generated over 300 newspaper articles in Britain, 1,200 in English language newspapers around the globe, 3,900 foreign language news articles, and 22,000 blog postings on the internet.^[21]

Vanni Treves, Channel 4's former chairman, urged the station to cancel the show.^[22]Yet the chances of this are unlikely as Big Brother is Channel 4's biggest money-spinner, accounting for around seven per cent of its total £800 million advertising income.^[22]

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz has tabled an Early Day Motion with parliament addressing this issue,^[23] while Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has condemned the attacks.[1] Tony Blair refused to comment on the issue as he has not been watching the show, although he did condemn racism in all its forms. The government of India has stated that it will take "action as required".^[24]

London mayor Ken Livingstone weighed in on the controversy by stating "The racism towards Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother is completely unacceptable." He went on to accuse the producers of the program of selectively editing the show "to broadcast participants' racist comments".^[25]

In an interview with Commission for Equality and Human Rights chairman Trevor Phillips, broadcast on BBC One on the 21st of January, Channel 4 chairman Luke Johnson was held accountable for what Phillips termed as 'failing to deal properly with the crisis'. Phillips has suggested Johnson should "make clear that they got it wrong" and admit that "they intervened too little too late". He also suggested that Channel 4 should not profit from the series, giving all of the money to charity. If this fails to happen it has been suggested, by Phillips, that further action could be taken by the culture secretary and Johnson's job could be under threat.^[26]

In response to the alleged racism being directed at actress Shetty in the Big Brother House, protesters took to the streets in India and burned effigies of the show's organisers. The Indian Government also plans to raise the issue with the British Government.^[27] India Tourism Office has extended an "invitation" to Jade Goody, to visit India and experience its "healing nature."^[28]

According to the BBC Shetty confided in fellow housemate Cleo Rocos that she feared the arguments between Goody, O'Meara, Lloyd and herself was the result of her race. After being told by Cleo that this was unlikely, Shilpa retorted by saying "It is, I'm telling you". Shilpa did not lodge an official complaint of racist behaviour to Big Brother.^[8] Yet Shetty's admission has forced police to investigate whether or not to classify her treatment as 'racial hatred' under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986.

Hertfordshire police said in a statement that it was

"Investigating allegations of racist behaviour in the Big Brother house and will be conducting enquiries, including a review of the tapes. We will continue to liaise with Ofcom and with Endemol, whom we have strongly encouraged to ensure that any form of behaviour that could raise similar concerns, does not occur. We will continue to closely monitor the situation over the next few days. Hertfordshire Constabulary will not tolerate racism in any form and is taking these allegations seriously. The constabulary has experience of investigating and resolving incidents in the Big Brother house in past seasons."^[29]

Shetty later withdrew her claims of racism, stating she did not think Jade was being racist during their argument.^[30] However, Shetty is unaware of all the alleged insults levelled against her, often done behind her back.

On 18 January, The Carphone Warehouse suspended its sponsorship of Celebrity Big Brother with immediate effect over the alleged racism. This does not however, entitle the Carphone Warehouse to recoup prepaid sponsorship monies, therefore causing minimal financial damage to Channel 4 ^[31][32] The company's chief executive, Charles Dunstone, said in a statement:

"Our concern has rapidly mounted about the broadcast behaviour of individuals within the Big Brother house.

We are totally against all forms of racism and bullying and indeed this behaviour is entirely at odds with the brand values of the Carphone Warehouse. As a result we feel that as long as this continues we are unable to associate our brand with the programme.

We had already made it clear to Channel 4 that were this to continue, we would have to consider our position. Nothing we saw last night gave us any comfort.

Accordingly we have instructed Channel 4 to remove our sponsorship name and branding with immediate effect."^[33]

Fragrance chain The Perfume Shop announced they are to withdraw Jade Goody's brand of perfume, Shh..., from their stores.^[34] Pharmacy chain Boots and Debenhams department stores followed suit and also pulled the perfume from their shelves.^[35][36]

Living TV cancelled its six-figure contract with Jade Goody, though it didn't specifically cite Jade's behavior as a cause.

Rocawear cancelled its contract with Danielle Lloyd to be a spokemodel for the brand. Company director Steve Crayson is quoted as saying:

"As a leading global fashion brand, we condemn any form of intolerance and/or racism. "We don't believe Danielle to be racist, but cannot ignore the comments made by her while on Channel 4."^[37]

Motorcycle insurance firm Bennetts terminated its six-figure agreement with Danielle Lloyd to be the spokes model for their company. A firm spokesperson is quoted as saying:

"Bennetts is strongly opposed to any form of racism and bullying." ... "In light of the accusations which have been made against Miss Lloyd, it has taken the decision to terminate its arrangements with her."

Hertsmere Borough Council, the owners of Big Brother's studios in Elstree have threatened to refuse permission to film.^[38]

Other sponsors of the show, Beauty-boxes.com, Zamya aromatherapy products, United Biscuits and Cobra Beer withdrew sponsorship from the programme.^[39][22]and deals with a number of advertisers, including Cow & Gate, the baby food manufacturer, and moneysupermarket.com were cancelled.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

A Channel 4 spokeswoman admitted Big Brother had intervened in the latest row - but only to make contestants "realise that what they have said has been misconstrued in the house". The idea, she said, was to allow the housemates "to explain themselves" to their fellow contestants.^[40]This was followed by a series of apologies by the housemates to Shilpa and a declaration by her that she did not believe Jade was racist. Also Jade said inside the house before she left: "I know why there's no noise." When Shilpa asked "Why?" Jade replied: "I know, but I can't tell you.^[39] In an interview with the Daily Star, Jade admitted that, during her final hours in the Channel 4 house, Big Brother had revealed that her abuse of Shilpa had ruined her own “girl-next-door” image.^[41]