Big Brother has received 493 Ofcom complaints following a row between housemates Johanne and Rochelle. Viewers raised concerns over alleged racial comments and bullying.
Row escalates after microaggression discussion
The pair clashed in scenes aired on Sunday September 27, which were described by viewers as 'difficult to watch'. Big Brother was forced to intervene after Rochelle overheard a conversation between Pauline and Johanne.
The two housemates had been discussing their experiences with microaggressions, with Johanne saying she felt a recent argument with Rochelle was 'micro-aggressive'. She said: 'My situation with Rochelle felt like a microaggression because I feel like if anybody else was over there heating up their food, say Rhianna, would [Rochelle] have reacted like that?'
Housemates clash and Big Brother intervenes
During the argument, Rochelle responded: 'Would you say, since we've been in here, that Rhianna and I have been racist in any way, shape or form?' As the row escalated, Rochelle raged: 'F*** off! F*** off!', before Johanne hit back: 'You're trashy, you're trashy. Bye!'
Big Brother then told the housemates over the speaker: 'This is Big Brother, would Johanne come to the Diary Room?'
The episode received 493 complaints, and 91 complaints about a previous row between the pair in another episode that aired on September 21.
Earlier 'Chickengate' row
Earlier in the series, Rochelle had a heated argument about chicken. Rochelle and Rob had been cooking as part of that week's challenge, which they branded 'Chickengate'. After serving the dish to their housemates, Johanne panicked and accused the pair of not having properly cooked the meal.
Big Brother airs nightly at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Metro has contacted ITV and Ofcom for comment.
