Big Brother has issued a statement after a number of viewers, including high-profile fans, called for housemate Omar to be removed from the house following uncomfortable scenes involving Rihanna.
The calls came after Monday's episode saw Rihanna and Omar seemingly end and then renew their relationship. At one point Rihanna described them as a 'divorced couple', explaining they had seen each other around the house but not spoken. The pair appeared to break off their relationship, but Omar later approached her, lowered his head, and told her to stop talking about him before leaving the bedroom and continuing to speak about her to others, including Lynx.
Diary Room Check-In
Things escalated when Omar invited Rihanna for a conversation in the store room. During the exchange, Rihanna told him: "From eviction night, up until now I feel like you've been acting weird with me."
Big Brother then called Rihanna to the Diary Room to check if she was OK. She said: "I'm not that good but I'll be fine. Obviously me and Omar have not been good over the last few days and sometimes I don't like the way he speaks to me." She added: "I wouldn't let a boy speak to me like that outside of here so why am I letting him speak to me like that... If it keeps going in circles, we can just be friends."
Reaction from Presenters and Fans
During The Group Chat, co-host Kate Lawler admitted she did not enjoy watching the back-and-forth and described it as an 'uneasy' conversation. Guest presenter Jordan Banjo agreed, saying he felt "uncomfortable" watching the scenes.
Radio DJ and TV personality Dean McCulloch shared his thoughts on TikTok, captioning a video: "Omar needs to be removed from the house with immediate effect." He said: "Those scenes that we had to watch tonight and that behaviour that Rihanna had to endure is completely unacceptable. That's not even good TV. That's not even close to being good TV. The way that he has spoken about her and to her and the way he is treating her . . . should not be tolerated in any way shape or form. He needs to be made an example of. The way he leaned over her, spoke to her in her ear, the way he told her she needed to fix up, the way he said look at me...we've moved into a dark place and Rihanna needs to be protected."
McCulloch followed up with another video, responding to a follower's comment, underlining his belief that the welfare team and producers would be working hard to ensure Rihanna is fine. He referenced his experience on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as an example of knowing proper procedures are in place for participant welfare.
Big Brother Statement
Many fans commented in agreement, with some saying they had complained to regulator Ofcom. One person replied: "Never made a complaint so quick." Another said: "Had to turn it off in the end."
In response, a Big Brother spokesperson said: "All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother's expectations for appropriate behaviour and language. Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately. Welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production, with a dedicated welfare team available to support Housemates before, during and after their time in the House."
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
