[Mrluvaluva]

From The DM

CHANNEL 4 has risked the wrath of regulators by ignoring the Celebrity Big Brother race row in its annual report, it was revealed yesterday.

The bullying of Shilpa Shetty sparked a record 45,000 complaints but was not talked about in chief executive Andy Duncan's presentation this week.

One regulatory source said yesterday: "They didn't see fit to mention they are at the centre of a very serious investigation. It's astonishing."

The report boasted about programme hits and Bafta nominations.

But it also said Channel 4's profits had fallen by 70 per cent.

Ofcom, which can fine TV companies heavily, yesterday said its report on racism in the house would be out before BB8 starts next month.

Insiders were surprised this was not covered in the report's "regulatory priorities for 2007".

The report covers 2006 and Celebrity Big Brother was this January but chiefs normally comment on big issues which could hit C4.