[Red Moon]

Duchess backs 'vilified' BB star Jo

The Duchess of York has weighed into the Celebrity Big Brother debate by declaring her support for Jo O'Meara.

She telephoned GMTV on Tuesday morning after seeing O'Meara interviewed on the show - saying she felt sympathy for the former S Club star because she "knows what it is like to be vilified".

Presenter Fiona Phillips told viewers that the Duchess had called into the programme. "Sarah the Duchess is watching this morning. She is very upset by the Jo interview.

"She says she knows what it is like to be vilified and misrepresented and has a lot of sympathy for Jo," Phillips said.

O'Meara claimed her life was in ruins after she was portrayed as a racist bully. She has been unable to return to her Essex home because she has received death threats, she claimed.

She told GMTV her behaviour towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty - and comment that Indians are skinny because they don't cook their food properly - were "taken out of context".

"I just feel that Big Brother had a TV show to make and they have to do what they can to make good viewing and unfortunately I was a guinea pig. It's ruined my life," she said in a teary interview.

"I don't think I bullied Shilpa, I really don't. I have got feelings and I make mistakes sometimes. Everybody makes mistakes but just not everybody does it on TV."

The former pop star - whose attempt at a solo career flopped last year - said she only took part in Celebrity Big Brother because her house was under threat of repossession and she needed the cash.

"I did it to try and save my house," she said. Phillips cut the interview short, telling O'Meara: "You really do need to get some help. You look like a broken woman."

Source: Blackpool Today