BRISTOL drama student Emily Parr has been kicked out of the Big Brother house by producers after calling a fellow housemate a “nigger”.
The 19-year-old was taken out of the house in the early hours of this morning and told she could not have any contact with the remaining 11 contestants.
She was due to face the public vote along with Shabnam Paryani tomorrow night which Big Brother producers have now suspended.
The incident was not part of the show’s live feed on sister channel E4 and was reported immediately to senior producers, the channel said in a statement.
“In consultation with senior executives at Channel 4 the decision was taken to remove Emily from the house on the grounds that she had broken the rules governing contestant behaviour,” the statement added.
The remark was made last night during a dancing session between Drama-student Emily, Londoner Charley Uchea and Indian-born Nicky Maxwell.
Speaking to Charley, Emily is heard saying, “You pushing it out you nigger?” A shocked Nicky responds, “Em, I can’t believe you said that”, with Charley adding: “You are in trouble”.
Emily replies, “Don’t make a big thing out of it then. I was joking”.
But the seriousness of the remark is realized by the other two contestants.
Nicky says she is “shocked” while Charley warns Emily the remark could have serious repercussions.
Channel 4 said the decision to remove Emily from the house was taken in light of the Shilpa Shetty race row earlier this year in which the Channel were accused of lying to viewers about the existence of racism in the house.
Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team, said the segment will be included in tonight’s highlights show at 10pm and that Emily regretted her actions.
“I think people watching the show tonight will agree that Emily spoke carelessly rather than maliciously – certainly Charley and Nicky, the two housemates most directly involved in the conversation with her, seem to accept that she did. She understands why her involvement in Big Brother has come to an end and she very much regrets what she said.
“In the wake of Celebrity Big Brother we must consider the potential offence to viewers regardless of Emily’s intentions and her housemates’ response. The word ‘nigger’ is clearly racially offensive and there was no justification for its use. We have removed Emily from the house to once again make it clear to all housemates and the viewers at home that such behaviour won’t be tolerated.”
More than 45,000 people complained earlier this year at the height of the Shilpa Shetty race row.
While the Channel denied the existence of racism in the house at the time, a recent report by television watchdog Ofcom said the channel had lied and published transcripts of a racially offensive limerick and Big Brother’s subsequent diary room warning to contestant Jo O’Meara which was never broadcast.
Below is a provisional transcript of the conversation between Emily, Charley and Nicky that led to Emily’s departure from the house. The incident will be aired as part of the Big Brother highlights show on Channel 4 at 10pm tonight.
Emily: (referring to Charley dancing/pushing her hips forward) You pushing it out you nigger.
Nicky: (shocked laughter) Em, I can’t believe you said that.
Charley: You are in trouble.
Emily: Don’t make a big thing out of it then. I was joking.
Charley: I know you were… but that’s some serious s**t, sorry.
Emily: Why?
Charley: Oh my god. I’m not even saying it.
Nicky: Just don’t talk about it anymore.
Emily: I was joking
Charley: Do you know how many viewers would watch that?
Nicky: Okay, don’t make a big deal out of it.
Charley: Fancy you saying that. I can’t believe you said that.
Emily: Somebody has already used that word in this house.
Charley: No way. (Pause) Yeah, me. I’m a nigger.
Nicky laughs.
Charley: I am one. Fancy you saying it. I know maybe you see it in a rap song. Maybe you and your friends sit there saying it.
Emily: I’m friendly with plenty of black people.
Nicky: And you call them niggers?
Emily: Yeah and they call me niggers. They call me wiggers as well.
Nicky: I’m quite shocked.
Charley: I’m f*****g in shock.
Emily: It’s not a big deal though is it?
Charley: Not for us it ain’t. F**k me.
