[Calderyon]

Big Brother 2013: 151 people complain to Ofcom over Jemima Slade's 'racism' warning

More than a 150 people have complained to telly watchdog Ofcom after Big Brother bosses issued Jemima Slade a warning earlier this week over apparent offensive comments.


Jemima was called into the Diary Room by Big Brother after a row with Gina Rio, following what started out as an innocent discussion about guys.

“I go for darker looking, not black, but darker feature, Mediterranean. I wouldn’t generally go for a black guy,” Jemima said. “I like darker guys, but not black guys. Wouldn’t really go for Chinese. I like mixed race.”

She told Gina: “I wouldn’t generally go for a black guy…, I’ve gone out with Indian guys, I’d generally go out with someone in there 30s.”

Jemima later added: “You probably wouldn’t go for a white guy.”

But Gina took offense to the remarks, branding Jemima “racist”.

BB hauled Jemima into the Diary Room and warned her that the comments could be seen as offensive by her fellow housemates and viewers.

However fans have been quick to stand up for Jemima, claiming Channel 5′s warning was not needed.

Writing on our site, one commentator said: “Channel 5 needs to issue an Apology to Jemima…. This is disgusting – Not one bit of what she said was racist.”

And Joe Mount agreed, quipping: “How is it any different to her saying she prefers younger men? That’s not ageist yet this is racist? Come on BB man up (sorry if that sounds sexist)”

It seems like they aren’t the only ones to feel the warning as over the top, with 151 complaints having been made to Ofcom already, who will decide whether or not to investigate the issue.

Read more: http://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/big...#ixzz2Wk55kXje

[GypsyGoth]

Ofcom must laugh their head off at the BB complaints every year.

[Black Dagger]

LOL, stupid *****.

So what if the old hag got a warning.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Black Dagger

LOL, stupid *****.

So what if the old hag got a warning.

She didn't deserve it, that's why. Being branded a racist is no light matter.

[joeysteele]

I think it is a waste of time now moaning to ofcom.
However I do think the warning was out of order really, a simple ticking off saying try to be more careful how you word things in future would have sufficed.

[Vicky.]

Probably would have been the same amount complaining if she didnt get a warning tbh. They cant win.

Mind I do disagree with the warning. I just dont see why people go running to ofcom for every little thing on BB.

[Jake.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Probably would have been the same amount complaining if she didnt get a warning tbh. They cant win.

Mind I do disagree with the warning. I just dont see why people go running to ofcom for every little thing on BB.

This tbh

[cassieparis]

Any OFCOM investigation will find that Jemima was rightly warned under the broadcasting rules in GB.
Not liking that she was warned doesn't change this fact

[Jamesy]

Are there really people around still that watch BB and go to Ofcom?

I bet the people who have complained don't even watch the show. They just saw it on the Daily Star front page and went straight to Ofcom to complain, because that's just what they do for a living.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Jamesy

Are there really people around still that watch BB and go to Ofcom?

I bet the people who have complained don't even watch the show. They just saw it on the Daily Star front page and went straight to Ofcom to complain, because that's just what they do for a living.

Yup. Though I daresay there would be at least the same amount of complaints, or more likely many more..if they hadnt given her a warning

[Marc]

People are very sad.

[karezza]

Jemima's warning should be withdrawn and she should receive an apology from Big Brother.

[Black Dagger]

Oh just boot her out 'Sorry Jemima... it's time to go' xo.

[Marc]

I reckon it's the exact same people who moan all the time.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

I hate Ofcom but the fact the people asking for BB to apoloogise to her for pretty much labelling her a racist ontv im all for it lol.

[g17m]

Originally Posted by daniel-lewis-1985

I hate Ofcom but the fact the people asking for BB to apoloogise to her for pretty much labelling her a racist ontv im all for it lol.

im the same, what she said wasnt racist and she needs an apology

[Jack_]

OFCOM complainers are just one of the many factors that have contributed to Big Brother's demise.

[cassieparis]

Originally Posted by Jack_

OFCOM complainers are just one of the many factors that have contributed to Big Brother's demise.

Broadcast racism are also a contributing factor.........

[daniel-lewis-1985]

Can we confirm these complaints aren't about Jemima being racist.

They are complaints that BB warned Jemima about something that wasn't deemed as racist.

The producers just pissed the public off by warning her for doing **** all.

[Livia]

I'm not surprised people complained. A black girl calling someone else a racist before the "you probably don't date white men" comment was even made. She's made a mockery of genuine racism claims, and the warning was out of order. I don't hold with complaining to Ofcom, but I don't see how else people could show their displeasure.

[the truth]

what jemima said wasn't remotely racist, though it was a bit mindless, but so what, people say silly things all the time.....the other hm claiming it as racism is just disgusting

[cassieparis]

Originally Posted by the truth

what jemima said wasn't remotely racist, though it was a bit mindless, but so what, people say silly things all the time.....the other hm claiming it as racism is just disgusting

Yeah imagine the whole conversation reversed.
No. Really think about it.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by cassieparis

Yeah imagine the whole conversation reversed.
No. Really think about it.

Yeah, imagine if Gina was discussing her "type", and she said she generally went for Mediterranean types, but not really white blokes. No one would have cared.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Livia

Yeah, imagine if Gina was discussing her "type", and she said she generally went for Mediterranean types, but not really white blokes. No one would have cared.

exactly.....people from all races, cultures and all walks of life say far more radical things than that regularly.....Ive watched whole tv studious full of black people say they don't date white people. it didn't bother me, its an individuals choice. Muhammad ali used to say its natural for people to stick to marrying people within their culture, religion, ethnicity. no one said it was racist, it was just his opinion. at worst what jemima said was presumptuous. all gina had to do was say actually youre wrong to assume that about me...instead of attention seeking and playing the race card right from the bottom of the deck....what a snake

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by the truth

exactly.....people from all races, cultures and all walks of life say far more radical things than that regularly.....Ive watched whole tv studious full of black people say they don't date white people. it didn't bother me, its an individuals choice. Muhammad ali used to say its natural for people to stick to marrying people within their culture, religion, ethnicity. no one said it was racist, it was just his opinion. at worst what jemima said was presumptuous. all gina had to do was say actually youre wrong to assume that about me...instead of attention seeking and playing the race card right from the bottom of the deck....what a snake

That's twice this week I've agreed with you.