Celebrity Big Brother (British series 5) racism controversy

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The Celebrity Big Brother 5 racism controversy arose during the fifth series of Channel 4's reality television programme Celebrity Big Brother in January 2007. It centred on the treatment of the Indian actress Shilpa Shetty by several fellow housemates, particularly Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd, Jo O'Meara, Jackiey Budden and Jack Tweed. Remarks broadcast during the series about Shetty's name, accent, nationality and cooking led to allegations of racism and prompted a backlash in both Britain and India. Tensions in the house escalated over several days and culminated in a confrontation between Shetty and Goody, after which Big Brother issued a formal warning over racist behaviour or anything that could be seen as racist. Goody later apologised and was evicted by public vote, while Shetty went on to win the series. The controversy quickly moved beyond entertainment coverage. Complaints to Ofcom rose to more than 44,500, then a record for a British television broadcast, and viewing figures...

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