[James]

Tourette's man 'exploited by Big Brother'

By Matt Born, Daily Mail
09:12am 20th May 2006

Channel 4 was facing criticism last night over its decision to include a victim of Tourette Syndrome in the new series of Big Brother.

The Tourette Syndrome Association said it was swamped with complaints from parents and care workers concerned that the reality TV show might lead to those with the condition - particularly children - being mocked and bullied.

One of this year's 14 housemates, singer and cartoonist Pete, has a severe case of Tourette's, a genetic condition which causes sufferers to burst into uncontrollable fits of swearing or twitching.

In the opening episode on Thursday, viewers saw the 24-year-old cursing and making animal noises.

Roy Hillard, president of the association, accused Channel 4 of "exploiting" Tourette's for the sake of ratings.

He claimed the broadcaster had deliberately cast someone with relatively strong symptoms in order to make him a "figure of fun".

"Ninety per cent of Touretters are not like that and I'm worried that people will associate him with Tourette's.

"I'm particularly concerned about how it will affect children. Kids watch this show and it could lead to bullying or them being mocked at school."

Within hours of the show's broadcast, the association had received a flood of emails and phone calls. One mother, whose children have the condition, said: "It is beyond belief that in a polite society this condition should be parodied in this way."

Channel 4 is likely to be unmoved by the criticism as Thursday's edition was seen by 7 million viewers - a record opening night audience for the long-running show.

Executives will also be delighted that the housemates have wasted little time in entering into the crude spirit of the show. Hours after walking into the house, contestants were talking about their sexual frustrations.

Channel 4 is clearly keen for the show to go on pushing back the boundaries of taste, despite the last series having attracted almost 1,000 complaints and the condemnation of the TV regulator.

Presenter Davina McCall gleefully told viewers that underwater cameras have been installed in the swimming pool and promised there would be no repeat of the last series, when "there was a little bit of hanky panky in the pool and we weren't sure whether they did or didn't".

Channel 4 dismissed the criticisms over its treatment of Tourette's, saying it hoped Pete's approach to his condition would "help and inspire" others.

A spokesman for the channel added: "All our housemates are chosen on the basis of their personality. Having a formal disability should not hold people back from being a housemate."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1815