Big Brother viewers have called out housemates for 'hideous transphobia' following a heated discussion around trans rights. The 2026 series has continued to prove itself as the most contentious since the ITV era began, having already ruffled feathers with various arguments and controversial remarks.
Latecomer sparks debate on LGBTQ+ protections
Less than 24 hours after entering the House as a latecomer, Twinks Burnett, a 36-year-old fashion stylist from London, was accused by fellow castmates of trying to rock the boat by leading a conversation on LGBTQ+ protections and allyship. While viewers warmly received her comments, praising her for 'standing up' for the community, they were less than impressed with the response of other housemates, who showed their 'true colours' by being 'ignorant'.
It began with Philip Regan, 53, declaring, 'You can't say anything' nowadays, defending 'freedom of speech' because 'that's what this country is built on'. 'Me, growing up, my generation, it was "him" and "her",' he argued. 'Now everything's different. If you wanna be classed as a fridge, you're classed as a fridge.'
Bathroom debate and trans athletes
Twinks then chimed in: 'Fundamentally, we all know who we are, what we identify as, how we define ourselves, and it is no one else's business to tell you who you are, what your sexuality is, and we should never assume who anyone is until they tell you.' She praised her own mum as an 'amazing trans ally', to which Omar El Mayer, 21, asked what an 'ally' is, with the others explaining it means being a 'supporter' or 'friend'.
'I've got a question for you,' Omar directed at Twinks. 'Let's say you're at a restaurant; there are two bathrooms – a boy bathroom and a girl bathroom. A transgender man who became a woman walks into the girl bathroom, and there are quite a few girls in there who feel uncomfortable. How do you deal with a situation like that?'
'Our government is obsessed with genitals. It's ridiculous,' Twinks blasted, seemingly referencing the latest guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on single-sex spaces, ruling that trans people should use facilities that 'match their biological sex'. 'Do we just build them another toilet then?', Omar questioned, to which Twinks was in favour of gender neutral bathrooms.
'But I wouldn't be happy with a transgender in the toilet with me,' Rochelle Rackham, 57, piped up across the room, with Philip telling her, 'I know what you mean.' 'This is where community comes in,' said Twinks, with Philip, who is gay, saying, 'I know all about community.' 'If you think beyond yourself, if you think about the LGBTQI community, which is so expansive and inclusive – but also we can have infighting – and any religious community, where looking after each other is such a beautiful thing. We have to protect community at all costs.'
The discussion then moved to trans athletes, with Omar probing: 'Can transgender people participate in cisgender sports?' 'Yes,' Twinks said. 'That's my belief, because if you are a trans woman, you are a woman, and I believe that you should be able to compete alongside your gender.'
Viewers react on social media
As the chat continued, Philip stood up and went to the bedroom to 'lie down', but he quickly told Lynx Noumey: 'It's going worse. She's talking about transgenders now. That'll cause f***ing murder.' He accused Twinks of trying to 'cause trouble', with the group advising him to 'get Omar out of that conversation' because 'I know what she's doing'.
Cutting back to the living room, the cameras showed Omar questioning Twinks further on allyship, who jokingly told him: 'You don't wanna not be an ally. It's not a good look.' 'You're putting these mad labels on things,' he said. 'Me, personally, I don't care what anyone does at all. It has nothing to do with me in any way, shape, or form. I'm an ally of humanity. I support everyone.' 'I won't force allyship upon you,' Twinks smiled as Lynx came to direct Omar outside. The pair ended their discussion with a handshake, calling it a 'good chat' and promising to continue it.
Taking to social media after the scenes aired, viewers expressed frustration with the likes of Philip and Rochelle, with @HumanNature91 on X 'embarrassed' to be watching the show. 'The homophobia is palpable and the transphobia is obvious! I'm so sorry for any trans person watching this show tonight', they added. @nopetynopehaha called the conversation a 'ticking timebomb', while @MCJPeel asked why Big Brother is not 'punishing Philip and Rochelle for their hideous transphobia'. 'Caroline was reprimanded last year on #BBUK for saying less than this', they argued, adding that 'ITV should be ashamed of themselves for normalising this horrible anti trans rhetoric'.
Housemate Caroline Monk received a formal warning last series for misgendering and offending Zelah Glasson, who is trans. @frankiecavaa also declared they are 'sick of these people' for being 'closed-minded', and @telephonehigh called it 'disappointing' to learn housemates were 'either bigots or too afraid to speak up for trans people'.
Over on Instagram, ex-housemates weighed in, with Zelah commenting under a clip: 'Would love to see Rochelle's face when she realises that her logic means she wants me in the same bathroom as her…🙄' I'm A Celebrity's Dean McCullough added that he 'expected better' from Philip, while The Traitors star Ash Bibi said Twinks 'must be protected at all costs'. Many users predicted that she could make the final, saying she's a 'real one'. ITV has been contacted for comment. Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.
