Britain, India On The Brink Over... Celebrity Big Brother

Help, I'm Not A Celebrity, Get Me Off This Planet.

Britain has been plunged into a diplomatic crisis with India following accusations of 'racism' on reality television show Celebrity Big Brother, aimed at Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

Tony Blair was drawn into the row during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday while Chancellor Gordon Brown condemned the 'offensive' bullying on his visit to India following a complaint from the country's junior foreign minister.

And security has stepped up around TV's Celebrity Big Brother house after threats were made against the housemates at the centre of the bitter race storm.

However Channel has said there had been "no overt racial abuse or racist behaviour" directed against Shetty - though it did admit there had "undoubtedly been a cultural and class clash between her and three of the British females in the house."

"Unambiguous racist behaviour and language is not tolerated under any circumstances in the Big Brother house. Housemates are constantly monitored and Channel 4 would intervene if a clear instance of this arose.

Okay, so what was said? Well, the three "racists" do not like this woman very much, and have said things that would make a very thin-skinned sort become very pleased at the chance to become righteously angry.

In a way, I hope a shooting war starts. Let's just take this nonsense to its logical conclusion.

Friday 5 January

The Goody family enter the Big Brother house. Jade's mum Jackiey refuses to pronounce Shilpa's name correctly.

Saturday 6 January

Jackiey asks Shilpa if she lives in a shack.

Wednesday 10 January

Jackiey is evicted and calls Shilpa "the Indian" in an interview.

Friday 12 January

Danielle Lloyd brands Shilpa a "dog". Jade says Shilpa "makes her skin crawl".

Saturday 13 January

Danielle says Shilpa wants to be white after seeing her bleaching her facial hair. Jo O'Meara asks if Shilpa gets stubble "like a man".

Sunday 14 January

Jo wonders whether Indian people are skinny because they do not cook food properly - like Shilpa. Danielle says she doesn't want Shilpa touching her food. Jack Tweedy uses a four-letter word to describe Shilpa. Critics say he said "Paki", Channel Four say he used the word c***.

I don't know what's funnier-- that this timeline is more detailed than the Warren Report on the Kennedy Assassination, or that Britain pretends these people are "celebrities."

posted by Ace at 08:54 PM

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