Bollywood heartthrob Shilpa Shetty, who had become the center of international media attention following the race row that dominated Celebrity Big Brother, has been named this year's winner.
The 31-year-old Indian star won the public's support after a fellow contestant hurled racially tinged insults at her in an episode that led to a record 40 000 complaints to media regulators about the programme. The actress, who described her time locked in the house as “incredible and overwhelming”.
Screaming with surprise, Shilpa burst into tears as Davina McCall, the host of the show, announced the news.
"Chicken curry rules! Thank you so much," she yelled as she was led out of the house by Davina.
The alleged ‘racist’ bullying of Shilpa in the house, by fellow housemates Danielle Lloyd, Jade Goody and Jo O’Meara, has made the headlines around the world.
When asked about the race show, Shilpa told the show’s host, Davina McCall, that Jade “didn‘t mean to be racist”.
Adding: “These things happen and we‘re all human beings.”
Shilpa manged to garner 63% of the votes in her favour, even as fellow contestant Jeramine Jackson (brother of Michael Jackson) finsihed as runner up.
Jade Goody, the loud mouthed tormentor of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty in the Celebrity Big Brother show, has admitted that she made racist comments about the Indian actress.
"She (Shetty) was a victim of bullying and racism. Yes, I can understand why she would have said that," Goody told the News of The World.
"I am not going to justify my actions because they were wrong. I was shocked to see how I behaved. I was shocked and disgusted at myself," she said.
Goody said she would be donating her fee for appearing on the show to charity.
Goody's on-screen disputes with Shetty sparked criticism and complaints. Almost nine million people watched her apologise and deny racism on Channel 4 on Friday, according to early ratings.
Shilpa in a happier mood on the show
In the most emotional and important interview of Jade's life—which was punctuated by frequent tearful outbursts — she was asked:
ARE YOU A RACIST?
No, I'm not a racist, but I accept I made racist comments. I don't see people for the colour that they are, or where they come from.
I'm mixed race myself and I speak to everyone of every colour, background and nationality. I don't care about where people are from.
DURING THE OXO CUBE ROW YOU SHOUTED AT SHILPA: "YOU'RE A F***ING LOSER AND A LIAR, YOU NEED A DAY IN THE SLUMS!"
I said: "You are a f***ing loser and a liar!" and I did say that.
YOU TOLD HER: "SHUT THE F*** UP! WHO THE F*** ARE YOU? YOU AREN'T SOME PRINCESS IN NEVERLAND, YOU'RE A NORMAL HOUSEMATE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE."
I remember saying that and it's wrong, but it's not a racial comment.
In my rage of anger that's why I said she wasn't a Princess and not a God, she's a normal f***ing person.
YOU ALSO REFERRED TO HER AS "SHILPA F***AWALLAH, SHILPA DURUPA, SHILPA POPPADOM".
I remember saying Shilpa F*** something.
Goody made her name on the non-celebrity version of Big Brother in 2002. Since then she has earned millions of pounds through TV shows, magazine deals, an autobiography, a perfume and fitness DVDs.
Public relations guru Max Clifford said: "Ironically, the programme that made her could be the programme that breaks her." Goody faces an "uphill task" to rescue her career, he said.
On being shown clips of herself by host Davina McCall, Goody admitted her behaviour was "nasty". "I'm not racist, but I can see why it has had the impact it's had," she said.
UK Media watchdog, Ofcom, has received about 7,600 complaints about this year's "Celebrity Big Brother" series as of now.
It says that most allege bullying and racism towards the Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.
Shilpa Shetty is one of nine celebrities being filmed 24 hours a day for the Channel 4 reality TV series and viewers have complained that she has become the target of racial slurs and bullying. She has been teased about her accent, and one contestant, since voted off the show by viewers, repeatedly referred to her as “the Indian” and did not pronounce her name properly. Shetty was left in tears on Sunday evening after Jade asked her if she was being genuine on the show and she has become increasingly distant from 'Jade's crew' of model Danielle Lloyd and singer Jo O'Meara.
Evicted housemate Carole Malone has spoken out over alleged racism against Shilpa Shetty in Celebrity Big Brother. Malone said she believes the incidents are motivated by jealousy rather than racist intent. You can listen the complete audio interview on BBC here.
"We will evaluate the nature of the complaint and publish our findings on our Web site,'' Ofcom spokeswoman Julie Symes said on being asked about what action is being contemplated for the complaints pouring in from across the world.
I think its quite appalling the way Shilpa Shetty has been treated by many participants in the show. Being a much famous star back home in India, I'm sure its torturous for her to be humiliated by B-list UK celebs.
Do write in your comments to show your support for Shilpa. Here's hoping she remains strong against her detractors and wins on the show, just as she is winning hearts in the UK.
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Bollywood heartthrob Shilpa Shetty, who had become the center of international media attention following the race row that dominated Celebrity Big Brother, has been named this year's winner.
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