Saturday, 6 September 2008

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Wendy Richard speaks out over Big Brother race row

Actress defends her comments on BBLB

Wendy Richard is shocked her comment has caused such a furore

Wendy Richard has spoken out over claims she made racist comments on Big Brother’s Little Brother.

The ex-EastEnders star, 65, was discussing the BB housemates when she spoke about Thai contestant Katreya Kasisopa, 30, in a way some viewers found offensive.

‘What is it they say about these inscrutable Chinese?’ she said. ‘She is Thai, but it is all Oriental, isn’t it? Well it is to me anyway.’

Wendy has now revealed her quotes were taken out of context.

‘I’m so upset, I’m close to tears,’ she told Radio LBC this week. ‘I can’t believe such a brouhaha has started up.

‘I have just been told that Oriental is considered offensive in the US and I did not know that. I didn’t mean to cause offence.’

Celebrity Big Brother was hit by a race row last year after fans claimed Jade Goody, 27, was racially bullying Indian housemate Shilpa Shetty, 33.

Holly Arnold