Deana Uppal faces racist slur in ‘Big Brother’

MARIA SAEED

KARACHI: An Indian-origin model and contestant on the “Big Brother” reality show has been facing a "tirade of insults", including for her preference to eat food with her hands, prompting several complaints and an investigation by regulator Ofcom.

Posh Scott Mason, another contestant was given an official warning by producers of the reality show and told that he could be kicked off the program following comments he made about Indian housemate Deana Uppal.

His mates Becky Hannon, 19, Ashleigh Hughes, 21, and Conor McIntyre, 24, were also ticked off.

Scott and his friends ridiculed Uppal for eating with her hands, saying she does it because she is Indian.

"I noticed she was eating cereal with her hands so I said to her: 'Do you need a spoon?'" media sources quoted Ashleigh as saying.

"My dad owned an Indian takeaway and they used to eat everything with their hands. It's the culture," Scott said. While Hannon and McIntrye both laughed at Ashleigh's impression of Uppal.

Big Brother told Scott in the diary room: "Big Brother believes that your use of language could be seen as stereotyping and therefore potentially offensive. If you use this type of language again we may have to consider removing you from the house."

Scott replied: "I'm sorry for getting carried away."

Telly watchdog Ofcom has received nearly 2,000 complaints from fans about the current series of Big Brother after seven incidents of bullying or racism in the house.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home-Affairs Select Committee, has demanded a probe into bullying inside the house.