Big Brother contestant apologises for remark

Channel 4 found itself in the centre of another racism row yesterday as a contestant on the new series of Big Brother branded a black housemate a "nigger".

Student Emily Parr, 19, was ejected from the house after she was heard saying: "Are you pushing it out nigger?", to black housemate Charley Uchea.

Ms Parr was later shown apologising for using the word on the show, claiming that it was intended a "friendly term" and not as an offensive remark.

However, Channel 4 bosses acted rapidly after the furore over the last series of Celebrity Big Brother which sparked over 44,000 complaints.

Angela Jain, Head of Channel 4's commissioning team, said viewers would agree the comments were careless rather than malicious.

She said: "Emily understands why her involvement in Big Brother has to come to an end and she very much regrets what she said.

"In the wake of Celebrity Big Brother we must consider the potential offence to viewers regardless the potential offence to viewers regardless of Emily's intentions and her housemates."

Ofcom said it would look into any complaints carefully and assess whtehr any issues are raised in relation to the Broadcasting Code.

The planned eviction has been cancelled tonight, and two new housemates will be put into the house instead.

(CD/SP)