[JakeyBoy]

Big Brother Golden Ticket 'fix' probed after complaints

by Sarah Woods Brand Republic 13 Jun 2006

LONDON - Complaints that Golden Ticket housemate Susie's entry into 'Big Brother' is a 'fix' are being investigated by the media watchdog Ofcom.

The 43-year-old part-time stripper, who entered the house on Friday, claimed she and her husband trawled through thousands of pounds worth of Kit Kat bars to find one of the 100 golden tickets for the draw.

She was one of 34 Golden Ticket holders to make it onto the show and was then chosen by housemates, who were given a lottery ball machine to pick the new entrant.

However, it has since been revealed that Susie has auditioned for the show several times, which is why several of the housemates recognised her when she arrived, and speculation that the ticket was bought on eBay for £4,000 has raised suspicion.

The furore, already being dubbed "Goldengate", has forced viewers to complain to Channel 4, with additional protests to Ofcom.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We have had complaints claiming the competition is fixed and we are looking into that to see if we need to take it further.

"We have rules, which say that competitions must be conducted fairly and we look into every complaint we receive."

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "The machine and the balls were checked by an independent adjudicator in the 'Big Brother' garden immediately prior to the draw.

"Susie then won the chance to be a housemate after Aislyene picked her numbered ball from the machine. The selection process was totally random."

The Advertising Standards Authority has now been passed the complaints from Ofcom because the Golden Tickets were advertised on Kit Kat packets, forcing the ASA to investigate claims of any wrongdoing.

brandrepublic.com


I think this is crazy, quite frankly. I can't see C4 risking losing their license by fixing something something as inconsequential as this.

This just proves what power the British press have, and their ability to create controversy.

[babyangel]

who can it be a fix for god sake, Aislyene picked the ball?! we all watched her do it

[albie]

They were golden balls with black writing. You can't even see the numbers on them without squinting. That's deliberate.

[Slezer]

Big Brother was very strict about Aisleyne starting the machine very quickly then stepping away from it.

[booty-full]

I think this is crazy, quite frankly. I can't see C4 risking losing their license by fixing something something as inconsequential as this.

This just proves what power the British press have, and their ability to create controversy. [/quote]

The reason why they have to look into it though is because if it is a fix they have misadvertised...it could actually be a breach of contract even!!! Doubt they'd lose their licence but people with a golden ticket have the understanding that they have a chance to win a place in the big brother house....if this was never the case then a breach has occured.