[Red Moon]

BB 8: Thou shalt not bully

BIG Brother chiefs have held a crisis meeting to rewrite the housemates’ rulebook to avoid any more race rows erupting.

They will take a much tougher stance on bullying contestants who step out of line.

Instead of formal warnings, wannabes who break the rules will be kicked out of the house straight away.

In the new BB8 “bible”, the housemates will be told they must not cause serious offence to other contestants or telly viewers by:

* Using language attacking people’s age, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation;
* Sexually harassment of others;
* Bullying others in the BB house.

The move was sparked after Channel 4 was rapped by Ofcom over this year’s Celebrity Big Brother.

Some 44,500 viewers complained that producers should have stepped in earlier to stop the racism against Shilpa Shetty, 31 (pictured with fellow housemate Danielle Lloyd).

Ofcom blasted the station for “serious errors in judgment” for showing Jade Goody, 25, calling the actress “Shilpa Poppadom” and Jo O’Meara, 28, claiming Indians ate food with their fingers.

As a result Channel 4 must issue three on-air apologies next week for the offence it caused.

Now producers have been forced to scrap the old rulebook and the new BB bible will be put into the house when the show starts on Wednesday.

TV chiefs will warn the contestants they will intervene at the earliest opportunity if there is “unacceptable behaviour” and contestants will be thrown out if they break the rules.

Director of Television Kevin Lygo said: “I believe these measures are a sensible tightening of our procedures.

“Channel 4 is doing everything possible to prevent a repeat of the public offence caused by the programme while staying true to the format of Big Brother.”

Source:Daily Star