[Jake.]

Celebrity Big Brother has always relied on controversy to keep its ratings ticking over but it’s not every year that a contestant sparks outrage before stepping foot into the house.

Former UKIP candidate Winston McKenzie was revealed as a housemate during Tuesday night’s live launch and instantly offended viewers with outrageous homophobic remarks.

The 62-year-old’s entry video saw him “joke” about sharing a house with a gay person, must to the shock of many.





“I could cope with a homosexual in the house. I guess I’ll just have to stand with my back against a brick wall all the time,” he said, to boos from the waiting crowd.


Viewers quickly began sharing their anger at McKenzie’s comments on social media, describing him as “everything that’s wrong with this world” and complaining that Channel 5 should not have aired the clip.


McKenzie has proved controversial in the past, notably when he compared same-sex adoption to child abuse and described his “dismay” after finding out that Kellie Maloney is transgender.

McKenzie, who is reportedly being paid £60,000 to appear on Celebrity Big Brother, joins gay ex-EastEnders actor John Partridge in the house.

Channel 5 declined to comment but an Ofcom spokesperson confirmed that 165 complaints have so far been made about Celebrity Big Brother.

“We will assess these complaints before deciding whether to investigate or not,” a statement read.