UK: Celebrity Big Brother contestants at the centre of racism controversy face eviction.

As the furore over British reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother continues, the public decide on who is to be evicted from the household. Friday (January 19) will see the he showdown between the Celebrity Big Brother contestants at the centre of a global race furore. Alleged racist behaviour of house mates towards fellow contestant, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, sparked an international diplomatic incident involving top level politicians including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Finance Minister Gordon Brown. Shilpa Shetty faces being voted out of the house, as does Jane Goody, former Big Brother contestant and one of the house mates being accused of being the main perpetrator of the alleged racist bullying. The contestants are oblivious to the row over Shetty's treatment as they are cut off from the outside world while on the show, where their antics can be watched 24 hours a day. British actress and fellow housemate Cleo Rocos, seeking to comfort Shetty, said of the clashes: "I don't think there's anything racist in it." Shetty replied: "It is, I'm telling you." The 31-year-old actress, reflecting on the row, later retracted her accusations of racism, telling "Big Brother" from the show's secret diary room "I take that back. I stand corrected." The controversy has made Big Brother the most talked about programme in Britain. With thousands of new complaints streaming in every day, it's officially become the most complained about television show in British history. Up to 4 million people are expected to call in to vote on tonight's eviction. London bookies placed the odds in favour of Jade Goody being voted out of the house.

ITN Source | January 25, 2007

Tags:. .expected. .uk. .cut. .voted. .london