Big Brother chiefs slated by TV watchdog

Channel 4 will have to apologise when BB8 launches

Friday, 25 May 2007

Big Brother bosses have received a severe telling off by a TV watchdog for their handling of the racism row on Celebrity Big Brother.

And Channel 4 will have to air an unprecedented three apologies in the first show of the new BB series.

Ofcom, who investigated the allegations of racism, was handed unseen footage of the show in which Shilpa Shetty was referred to as a 'P***'. Although show producers were aware of the clips, no one at Channel 4 was told about the incident.

Yesterday Ofcom accused BB chiefs of 'serious editorial misjudgements' but did not fine Channel 4. The TV watchdog also said bosses had failed to protect the public from 'offensive material'.

C4's chief exec Andy Duncan says: 'It's a matter of regret that we and senior managers at Endemol weren't aware of these conversations immediately. As soon as we were made aware, we ensured the relevant housemates were reprimanded.

'We accept racism took place. I don't want to single out any one person for blame.'