Emily kicked out of house [press reports updated - 8 June 2007]

[Red Moon]

Emily kicked out of house
EMILY has this morning sensationally been kicked out of the Big Brother house after using racist language.

The blonde was removed from the Big Brother house in the early hours of this morning after dancing with Charley and asking: "Are you pushing it out you n*****?"

The comment was not screened and, although she immediately said that she did not intend to offend, Channel 4 and Endemol executives made the decision to remove her.

In a statement read to the house by Lesley, at 9.45 this morning, BB blamed unacceptable behaviour including "offences on the grounds of race."

The housemates were told that "Emily has broken fundamental rules" and has "behaved in a way that Big Brother considers unacceptable."

Channel 4 are eager to avoid another race row after their criticism following Shilpa Shetty's treatment in the house.

Angela Jain, who heads the Big Brother commissioning team at Channel 4, said: "I think people watching the show tonight will agree that Emily spoke carelessly rather than maliciously .

"Certainly Charley and Nicky, the two housemates most directly involved in the conversation with her, seem to accept that she did.

"She understands why her involvement in Big Brother has had to come 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 of Emily's intentions and her housemates' response."

The incident will be screened on the Channel 4 show tonight.

Tomorrow's planned eviction has been cancelled.
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260386,00.html)

[Richie]

Thanks for that!

[Red Moon]

Em's racist comment in full
DISGRACED Emily Parr was sensationally booted out of the house this morning after using a racist word to fellow housemate Charley.

As the two girls danced in the early hours, Emily called her friend a 'n*****'.

But after BB broke the shock news of her eviction, Charley and Nicky agreed that Emily had not intended to cause offence.

Below is the full transcript of the incident, which was not screened on the live feed.

Emily: (referring to Charley dancing/pushing her hips forward) You pushing it out you n*****.

Nicky: (shocked laughter) Em, I can't believe you said that.

Charley: You are in trouble.

Emily: Don't make a big thing out of it then. I was joking.

Charley: I know you were… but that's some serious sh**, sorry.

Emily: Why?

Charley: Oh my god. I'm not even saying it.

Nicky: Just don't talk about it anymore.

Emily: I was joking.

Charley: Do you know how many viewers would watch that?

Nicky: Okay, don't make a big deal out of it.

Charley: Fancy you saying that. I can't believe you said that.

Emily: Somebody has already used that word in this house.

Charley: No way. (Pause) Yeah, me. I'm a n*****.
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260391,00.html)

[Red Moon]

Race bosses back eviction
THE Commission for Racial Equality has backed Channel 4’s decision to evict Emily for making a racist remark aimed at Charley.

In a statement the CRE said: “We’re relieved that Channel 4 has acted quickly.

“This incident will show everyone that racism must never be tolerated in any way, shape or form.

“We can see from this incident that there is no stereotype of a racist, they
come from all walks of life, education and social background.

“Two series of Big Brother, two racist incidents - this just shows how prevalent racism is in Britain today.”
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260389,00.html)

[Ella]

So how she actually defo been kicked out then?

[Red Moon]

NEW BIG BROTHER RACE STORM

BIG Brother contesant Emily Parr was dramatically booted off the show today for using a racially offensive word.

The 19-year-old drama student used the word "******" while dancing with housemate Charly Uchea in the living room.

Channel 4 said she was heard to say "Are you pushing it out you ******?"

Parr, who faced eviction this Friday, was called to the Diary Room at around 3.30am and removed from the house without any further contact with the others.

The other housemates were told of the decision at 9.30am.

Friday's eviction vote has now been suspended.

Today's incident follows the controversial Celebrity Big Brother race row involving Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd, Jo O'Meara and Shilpa Shetty.

Channel 4 issued a statement saying: "Emily immediately made clear that she had not intended to offend and that the comment had been meant as a joke.
What was said - read full transcript by clicking here (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/06/07/new-bb-race-row--what-was-said-89520-19259968/)
"In discussing what she had said, Charley and Nicky agreed that they were not personally offended, although both did express shock at the language she had used.

"In the ensuing discussion, Emily acknowledged that she should have been more careful with her words.

"The comment was not screened as part of the 'as live' streaming on E4 and was immediately reported up to senior production staff at Brighter Pictures, the Endemol UK subsidiary that produces the show.

"In consultation with senior executives at Channel 4, the decision was taken to remove Emily from the house on the grounds that she had broken the rules governing contestant behaviour."

Channel 4 took immediate action after being accused of failing to take the Celebrity Big Brother race row seriously, and being forced to apologise at the start of this series for the controversy.

Angela Jain, who heads the Big Brother commissioning team at Channel 4, said the word was used "carelessly rather than maliciously".

But she said it was "clearly racially offensive".

She said: "I think people watching the show tonight will agree that Emily spoke carelessly rather than maliciously - certainly Charley and Nicky, the two housemates most directly involved in the conversation with her, seem to accept that she did.

"She understands why her involvement in Big Brother has had to come 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 of Emily's intentions and her housemates' response.

"The word ****** is clearly racially offensive and there was no justification for its use.

"We have removed Emily from the house to once again make it clear to all housemates and the viewers at home that such behaviour won't be tolerated."
Source: Daily Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/bigbrother/2007/06/07/new-big-brother-race-storm-89520-19259578/)

[Ella]

Oh my God! Well good riddance to her I say, Thanks for those Red.

[Red Moon]

No problem and I'm glad you found them useful.

I try and post the news up every morning.

[Red Moon]

Shock at Emily's departure
Housemates were visibly shaken after the news that Emily had got the BB boot for using a racially offensive word.

Charley retreated to the garden and sat crying.

"Don't feel bad," Nicky said, hugging her. "It was quite insulting what she said to you."

They then talked about Emily's actions immediately after she said the word.

Nicky added: "She wouldn't leave us alone because she didn't want us to discuss it. She made it worse by following us around."

Charley said to the others: "Me and her were in shock.

"It's not right, whether it's said as a joke or serious, or it just slipped out. It's not right. I feel sick. Nicky, I feel well sick."

Lesley was tasked with getting Emily's clothes packed and asked the twins and Laura to gather her belongings and put them in her case.

Later in the lounge, Nicky sat talking with Ziggy and Chanelle about the event.

Nicky said: "What makes it worse is that it wasn't said vindictively or spitefully or in a racist way, but she didn't say it in a jokey way. The way it just slipped out, that's what was most upsetting."
Source: Metro (http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=52138&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=)

[Sunny_01]

It sounds like she thought it would be acceptable to say that to Charley, and it is obivous that Charley was not happy about it from the minute it was said, nor was Nikki

[Red Moon]

Shilpa's happy to see Em go
SHILPA SHETTY has welcomed Channel 4’s decision to remove Emily from the Big Brother house.

The winner of this year’s controversial Celebrity Big Brother said she was “really happy” that the 19-year-old housemate was kicked out for using a racially offensive word.

Speaking at the launch of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations in Leeds, the Bollywood star said: “I’m glad that Channel 4 has taken action. I’m really happy and I compliment them on the action they have taken.”

Shilpa was at the centre of a huge race row after she was allegedly bullied by Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara.

Channel 4 were forced to apologise after 44,000 complaints were received.
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260433,00.html)

[Red Moon]

Charl: 'I'd never use that word'
THE housemates have been in shock following Emily’s sudden removal from the Big Brother house for using racist language.

The student was called to the Diary Room at 3.30am this morning and immediately ejected from the house after telling Charley as she danced “ You pushing it out you n*****.”

But the other housemates were not informed of what had happened until 9.45 this morning, when Lesley read out a statement from Big Brother.

Immediately after the announcement was read out, Charley burst into tears and hugged Nicky.

An upset Nicky said that what made it worse was that “it wasn’t said in a racist way.”

Although Charley agreed, she told housemates: "You wouldn't ever hear something like that coming out of my mouth."

She added: “Whether it was a joke or it just slipped out, it’s not alright.”

Dazed housemates started packing Emily’s bags, and Ziggy encouraged them to put the experience behind them. He said: “Let’s just move on and we carry on our quest.”

Just over an hour after the announcement, Big Brother opened the storeroom for the housemates to drop off Emily’s suitcase.

As the case was deposited in the storeroom, Laura shouted: “Goodbye Emily.”
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260408,00.html)

[the_chosen_one]

So Emily can't use a word that Charley is allowed to use.

Double standards.

[MarkWaldorf]

How did this all happen? :blush: This is a shock.

[Amy]

Originally posted by MarkChap?!
How did this all happen? :blush: This is a shock.

yes it was for me too this morning.. But at least BB sorted it better this time..

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Amy
Originally posted by MarkChap?!
How did this all happen? :blush: This is a shock.

yes it was for me too this morning.. But at least BB sorted it better this time..

Yeah, shame though. I liked her.

[xGemmax]

So Charley used that word as well? What ****ing double standards :mad:

[Bells]

Charley used it after being prompted by Emily, and that too about herself straight afterwards. Well, as far as I'm aware. BB wouldn't have ejected her unless they thought it was necessary in the circumstances. You're better off reading the transcript.

[Ruth*Star]

Originally posted by MarkChap?!
Originally posted by Amy
Originally posted by MarkChap?!
How did this all happen? :blush: This is a shock.

yes it was for me too this morning.. But at least BB sorted it better this time..

Yeah, shame though. I liked her.
Yeah i liked her 2, no matter what she did she deserved a propper eviction.

[Red Moon]

EMILY: I'M NO B BRO RACIST
BIG Brother was hit by a new race row yesterday after student Emily Parr called Charley Uchea a “ni**er”.

The remark saw Emily, 19, instantly kicked out of the telly house by show bosses.

It comes just two weeks after Channel 4 was blasted by TV watchdogs over racist comments made against Shilpa Shetty, 32, in Celebrity Big Brother.

This time producers acted swiftly. Emily was told she had breached the show’s strict new guidelines and was removed from the house.

But Channel 4 could still fall foul of regulator Ofcom after screening the footage, including the “N word”, on last night’s highlights show.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: “We will look into any complaints and assess whether any issues are raised in relation to the broadcasting code.”

Tonight’s eviction vote – which would have been between Emily and Shabnam Paryani, 22 – has now been cancelled.

But two new housemates are set to arrive as bosses try to smooth over the controversy and give tonight’s live show a boost.

The race row was sparked on Wednesday night when Emily was messing around with Charley, 21, and Nicky Maxwell, 28, in the garden.

Seeing Charley dancing around, pushing her hips forward, Emily asked: “You pushing it out, you ni**er?”

Both Charley and Nicky were shocked, although Emily insisted she was only joking.


The footage was axed from the “live” streaming on E4, which has a 15-minute time delay.

Show bosses held a crisis meeting – nervous after the Celebrity Big Brother race row in January, which sparked a record 44,500 complaints from viewers.

They decided the best thing would be to take Emily out of the house immediately. They contacted her family in Bristol and told them of their decision.

At 3.30am yesterday, Emily was called to the Diary Room and told she was being booted out. A side door opened in the room and an apologetic Emily was led away to an out-building at Elstree TV Studios, Herts.

A family member arrived to be with her and she was whisked off to a nearby hotel, where she remained for the rest of the day.

Her Big Brother housemates were oblivious until they woke up in the morning and found that Emily was not in her bed.

At 9.30am, Lesley Brain, 60, was called to the Diary Room and given a letter which explained her disappearance. And all the housemates agreed she had to go.

Charley said: “It’s not on, getting called something like that on TV. It was abusive to me.”

Nicky agreed, adding: “I was offended.”

Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team, said last night: “I think people will agree that Emily spoke carelessly, rather than maliciously.

“But in the wake of Celebrity Big Brother, we must consider the potential offence to viewers.

“The word is clearly racially offensive and there was no justification for its use. ”
Source: Daily Star (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1825)

[Red Moon]

Stupid girl Emily
EMILY Parr’s racist outburst was yesterday condemned by campaigners, celebrities, MPs and former Big Brother contestants.

They accused her of being offensive and naive.

And some even fear she could now be attacked by angry fans.

But while many praised Channel 4 for acting so swiftly to remove her, others believe the broadcaster should pull the show for good.

The Commission for Racial Equality – which was deluged with complaints over the Shilpa Shetty row – quickly issued a statement saying C4 was right to give Emily the boot.

The CRE said: “We are relieved that Channel 4 has acted quickly. This will show everyone that racism must never be tolerated in any way, shape or form.

“Two series of Big Brother, two racist incidents – this just shows how prev-alent racism is in Britain today.”

The TUC’s Working Against Racism chief Wilf Sullivan said the whole
programme should now be axed.

He told us: “I’m glad C4 appears to have learned the lessons from last time and pulled this girl out quickly.

“But Big Brother has had its day. It’s a dying horse. It should be taken off air.”
Although Emily made it known she supports the Tories, the party washed its hands of her.

Conservative culture spokesman Hugo Swire applauded C4’s action,
saying: “Racism has no place in modern Britain.”

BB2 contestant Narinder Kaur, 34, who wrote about racism in her book Big Brother: The Inside Story, now fears Emily will face a public backlash and told the Daily Star: “I can’t believe after Shilpa that a girl has gone into the house and dropped the N word.

“C4 had to evict this stupid girl.”

BB7’s Aisleyne Horgan Wallace, 28, agreed: “Emily, you’re a silly girl! Now the rest of the contestants had better watch themselves.”

Streets rapper and ex-BB contestant Leo Ihenacho, 30 – now known as Leo the Lion – said: “The show is supposed to be a fly on the wall experiment of what happens in society – and racism is happening in the real world. BB is a true reflection of our society.”

Telly regulator Ofcom, which inves-tigated the Shilpa Shetty storm, said: “Once the material in question has been broadcast, Ofcom will look into any complaints carefully.”
Source: Daily Star (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1829)

[Red Moon]

Emily: Sorry, I only said it as a joke
BB reject Emily Parr last night apologised for her comments and sobbed: “I’m no racist.”

The 19-year-old Bristol lass grovelled: “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I’m so shocked. I really didn’t mean it offensively. I know people will believe me. I’d just like to say to everyone in the house that I’m sorry.”

She added: “It’s a friendly term, making fun of people, being in a group. I’d never say it in an offensive way.

“You hear offensive words in songs every day, and it’s nothing to be offended by. I’m a kind girl, I’ve got a big heart for everybody. I wouldn’t do that. It’s not fair.”

Emily told Big Brother she understood the term might be deemed offensive, adding: “But in the context it was neither racially abusive or offensive to anybody there.”

It was the climax to a week of controversy for Emily. She accused Chanelle of cuddling up to Ziggy as a game plan and attacked Charley for saying she knew Chelsea stars Frank Lampard, 28, and John Terry, 26. “Those people are just names, aren’t they? They’re not friends.”
Source: Daily Star (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=1828)

[Red Moon]

BIG BROTHER EMILY DISOWNED
Family are sickened by racist slur
AN uncle of disgraced Emily Parr yesterday said he was shocked and appalled by her racist jibe at Big Brother housemate Charley.

James Coughlin, 42, said: "I think what she said is terrible. It is completely disgusting and distasteful. I thought that word had been stamped out years ago - it is deeply offensive.

"Her parents will be devastated. I didn't know those words could come out of her mouth. I can't believe it's the Emily I know." Fellow housemates were stunned when posh drama student Emily, 19, blurted out the vile remark while talking to Charley Uchea and Nicky on Wednesday evening.

During a chat, Charley had pushed her hips and stomach out and said: "I hope I'm not pregnant."

Emily said: "You're pushing it out, you n****r."

A stunned Charley told her: "You are in trouble."

Emily's comment, made at 8.20pm, was not screened on digital channel E4's live coverage.

But Channel 4 bosses provoked anger by deciding to show the remark uncensored in last night's edited highlights, which were to be preceded by a warning.

A show spokeswoman said the decision was taken to show viewers exactly what had happened. She added: "Emily's use of the word was shown in full as were subsequent mentions of the word in ensuing conversations so that the audience saw the events in context.

"In any repeats of this footage, the offensive word will be bleeped. We felt it was important to allow viewers to make up their own minds."

But watchdog Mediawatch said: "They shouldn't broadcast any material which is racially offensive. This will certainly undermine the programme."

And Labour MP Keith Vaz said: "This is absurd. You evict someone for saying something and then allow them the oxygen of publicity."

Emily's unexpected outburst was a body blow to Big Brother bosses, who have been desperately hoping for a lighter atmosphere in the wake of the race row that blighted Celebrity Big Brother in January.

They spent hours discussing Emily's remark. Then Big Brother woke her, hauled her into the diary room at 3.08am and told her she was getting the boot.

Emily defended her choice of language by saying she was "just joking around".

She added: "It's a friendly term, you know, making fun of people, being in a group. I would never use any offensive words like that, you know? I'm a kind girl, I've got a big heart for everybody. I wouldn't do that, I know I wouldn't."

She told Big Brother she understood the term could be deemed offensive, but added: "In the context it was used it was neither racially abusive or offensive to anybody there. At all."

When she was told that she was being removed, she looked stunned. She said: "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I never meant it like that - I know people will believe me." Emily was in hiding last night. Her mum Amanda travelled from their home in Bristol to be with her.

Emily's fellow housemates discovered she had been kicked out after Big Brother issued a statement just before 10am.

Charley, a cousin of Man Utd star Kieran Richardson, burst into tears and said: "I didn't tell them. I am upset for her but she should not have said it."

Following Emily's departure, Channel 4 announced it was to scrap tonight's eviction. It will refund viewers who had already cast votes.

Channel 4 boss Angela Jain yesterday said they no choice but to act after the Celebrity Big Brother race row. Then, racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty by Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd, Jo O'Meara sparked a huge row.

Two new new male contestants will enter the house tonight.
Source: Daily Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/bigbrother/2007/06/08/big-brother-emily-disowned-89520-19263920/)

[Red Moon]

New row a Channel 4 godsendBy BIG BROTHER 6'S
DEREK LAUD

CLEARLY Channel 4 felt they had no alternative but to remove Emily from the Big Brother house.

After the Shilpa Shetty race row, they could not have been seen to be covering up racist behaviour.

But Emily is a Godsend to the channel and the show’s makers Endemol because, unlike the fiasco of Celebrity Big Brother, this time they have reacted quickly and effectively.

Jade Goody was made a hate figure over her part in the race row.

Yet nothing she said to Shilpa was overtly racist. Compare this to Emily’s use of the word ‘n****r’ — which risks offending many good British men and women. Perhaps Emily meant it in a friendly, funny way.
Big Brother - Earlier storm ... Shilpa

But even if she didn’t say it with malice, it is a word that is intended to cause controversy, at the very least, and deep offence at worst.

Emily’s problem was she never allowed her brain to engage her mouth.

It is right that Big Brother should step in and stop racism. All extreme behaviour — whether bullying, racism, or sexism — must be dealt with in the same way.

But black or white, we must stop feeling we are entitled to call people ‘racists’ when no overt racism is involved.

Assassinating a person’s whole character because of one slip-up is unfair.
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260574,00.html)

[Amy]

Originally posted by Red Moon
BIG BROTHER EMILY DISOWNED - AN uncle of disgraced Emily Parr yesterday said he was shocked and appalled by her racist jibe at Big Brother housemate Charley.


Always nice to know you can count on your family to support you :laugh:

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by Amy
Originally posted by Red Moon
BIG BROTHER EMILY DISOWNED - AN uncle of disgraced Emily Parr yesterday said he was shocked and appalled by her racist jibe at Big Brother housemate Charley.


Always nice to know you can count on your family to support you :laugh:

I thought the same when I saw the story. You think we would have got a lot family say's Emily isn't a racist type stories today.

[MaDdOctoR]

Originally posted by Red Moon
Charl: 'I'd never use that word'
THE housemates have been in shock following Emily’s sudden removal from the Big Brother house for using racist language.

The student was called to the Diary Room at 3.30am this morning and immediately ejected from the house after telling Charley as she danced “ You pushing it out you n*****.”

But the other housemates were not informed of what had happened until 9.45 this morning, when Lesley read out a statement from Big Brother.

Immediately after the announcement was read out, Charley burst into tears and hugged Nicky.

An upset Nicky said that what made it worse was that “it wasn’t said in a racist way.”

Although Charley agreed, she told housemates: "You wouldn't ever hear something like that coming out of my mouth."

She added: “Whether it was a joke or it just slipped out, it’s not alright.”

Dazed housemates started packing Emily’s bags, and Ziggy encouraged them to put the experience behind them. He said: “Let’s just move on and we carry on our quest.”

Just over an hour after the announcement, Big Brother opened the storeroom for the housemates to drop off Emily’s suitcase.

As the case was deposited in the storeroom, Laura shouted: “Goodbye Emily.”
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260408,00.html)

er........I've just read that......she clearly said "I am a N" how is that not using the word?

dOc

[MaDdOctoR]

Originally posted by Red Moon
New row a Channel 4 godsendBy BIG BROTHER 6'S
DEREK LAUD

CLEARLY Channel 4 felt they had no alternative but to remove Emily from the Big Brother house.

After the Shilpa Shetty race row, they could not have been seen to be covering up racist behaviour.

But Emily is a Godsend to the channel and the show’s makers Endemol because, unlike the fiasco of Celebrity Big Brother, this time they have reacted quickly and effectively.

Jade Goody was made a hate figure over her part in the race row.

Yet nothing she said to Shilpa was overtly racist. Compare this to Emily’s use of the word ‘n****r’ — which risks offending many good British men and women. Perhaps Emily meant it in a friendly, funny way.
Big Brother - Earlier storm ... Shilpa

But even if she didn’t say it with malice, it is a word that is intended to cause controversy, at the very least, and deep offence at worst.

Emily’s problem was she never allowed her brain to engage her mouth.

It is right that Big Brother should step in and stop racism. All extreme behaviour — whether bullying, racism, or sexism — must be dealt with in the same way.

But black or white, we must stop feeling we are entitled to call people ‘racists’ when no overt racism is involved.

Assassinating a person’s whole character because of one slip-up is unfair.
Source: The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003230001-2007260574,00.html)

man I always liked Derek.....and that just proves his head is firmly in the right place.

what is Derek doing now?

I always wanted Derek and Science to do a song together

:cheer2:

dOc

[Bells]

I too understand that it was a slip-up, and I don't really think Emily is a racist person despite the odd moment's thought I've had to give to it based on recent newspaper stories. But a lot of people are basing their arguments for the fact that she should have been ejected through talking about her ignorance, and stupidity, which at the end of the day IMO is true.

[Red Moon]

Max Clifford: Big Brother Had To Evict EmilyBig Brother had no choice but to evict Emily Parr for her racist comment as the show lurches from crisis to crisis, according to PR guru Max Clifford.

The PR to the stars also said it was "trial by TV" for Big Brother after Ofcom flexed its muscles and forced the show to apologise for its handling of the Shilpa Shetty race row.

Emily was kicked out after calling fellow housemate Charley 'n***er' on the show.

Mr Clifford said: "I think because of the Ofcom ruling about racial matters and the way that they handled the last one, Big Brother obviously had to clean its act up.

"The fact of the matter is that this is a very crucial time in the history of Big Brother and Ofcom, who are showing what they can do if Channel 4 ignore the warnings.

"There's a fine line between what's acceptable and what's not. I imagine Channel 4 are hoping they will deflect the same kind of response.

"Big Brother is on trial. They are trying to be seen as more responsible and responding to Ofcom. It's trial by TV and trial for the makers of the TV.

"It thrives on controversy, and would it be half as interesting without it? I doubt it. The makers have to try to keep in controversial without being offensive and it's a fine line.

"Over the next few days it will be interesting to what the response is and how many protests they will get from the public.

"From a PR point of view they didn't have any choice. At least they seem to be doing something about it, which they weren't doing before."

Channel 4 announced it would air the comment, despite the fact that it was not broadcast live.

Mr Clifford said that Channel 4 had to show the comment to avoid being criticised for covering up for Emily, and said that although the disgraced housemate would have her 15 minutes of fame, she had blown her chances of winning popular support.

He said: "The whole premise of Big Brother is that you're being watched, so they have to show the comment. It has to be seen to be done because it's the basis of the programme.

"One of the criticisms of the last series was that people were only seeing so much, so they are trying to diffuse that problem. The best way to stop a disaster is to anticipate it.

"I wouldn't think that Emily has got too much of a future in showbusiness at the moment. It probably wouldn't endear her to too many people, but I'm sure she'll have her 15 minutes of fame in the press.

"I don't know the girl personally, but if you go on Big Brother there's no such thing as bad publicity, although I'm not sure how much Jade Goody would agree with that."

However, he said that the publicity the incident had created was good for the show, as long as they managed to avoid being criticised for their handling of the situation.

He said: "They are getting plenty of controversy, which is what keeps people watching, but they are trying to make sure that it doesn't lead to the same problems.

"They're trying to get the best of both worlds, because they thrive on controversy but they need to be seen to be responsible. It's called having your cake and eating it.

"They have got a real problem because the success of the programme is that it is risky and on the edge, or what I call car crash TV, which involves controversy and confrontation.

"That's what they need, but at the moment they've got to be careful now because Ofcom has made it clear they won't tolerate any more."
Source: Life Style Extra (http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowStory.asp?story=EC838420W&news_headline=max_clifford:_big_brother_had_to_evi ct_emily)

[Mike]

Fully agree with that. The producers had no choice whatsoever after what happend during CBB. They would have received complaints either way, at least this way it's better off than receiving them for keeping her in.