Big Brother has been hit with more than 500 Ofcom complaints this week following two episodes of the ITV show. The broadcasting regulator confirmed that 493 viewers filed complaints after Sunday's (September 27) episode, with the majority related to alleged racism and bullying claims towards Rochelle by other housemates, including remarks by Johanne. A further 91 complaints were received for the episode aired on September 21, with most viewers complaining about racial remarks and references to nationality by Johanne and Omar.
Kitchen row sparks complaints
The argument that sparked the most complaints came after Rochelle overheard a conversation between Pauline and Johanne. The women were discussing their experiences with microaggressions, a form of subtle discrimination over someone's race or other marginalised identity. Johanne and Rochelle had recently clashed after the American housemate decided to reheat chicken that Rochelle had cooked for the house. Johanne claimed the meat was undercooked, which sparked a row between the two women.
In her private chat with Pauline, Johanne seemed to suggest that Rochelle's reaction 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? And that's how you can really decipher a microaggression a lot of times - is just put anybody there that looks like that person, would their behaviour still be the same?"
Allegations spread through the house
Rochelle heard her name pop up in the conversation and rushed to relay it to Rhianna, Lynx and Omar. She told them: "Would you say, since we've been in here, that Rhianna and I have been racist in any way, shape or form?" The housewife went on to claim that Pauline and Johanne had suggested that her and Rhianna were micro aggressive and racist, which wasn't completely accurate.
Rhianna was left upset after hearing that Johanne and Pauline allegedly called her racist, but fellow housemate Yasmin decided to clarify because she didn't believe Rochelle's account. This only started a fresh argument when Johanne discovered what Rochelle had told the rest of the group. The duo then started arguing in the kitchen as Johanne fumed: "Nobody said anything about Rhianna." She went on to call Rochelle "stupid, dumb and a trouble maker".
Big Brother intervenes
As the pair went back-and-forth, Rochelle fumed: "F*** off! F*** off!" Johanne hit back with: "You're trashy, you're trashy. Bye!" Big Brother was forced to put an end to the fight as he was heard over the speakers saying: "This is Big Brother, would Johanne come to the Diary Room?"
Viewers at home were left uncomfortable by the heated scenes, with one posting online: "This is so painful to watch." It seems many more reported their concerns to broadcasting regulator Ofcom. Big Brother is streaming now on ITVX.
