Big Brother sparks over 100 Ofcom complaints after huge row

A new season of Big Brother has been on our TVs for a little over a week now and has already sparked complaints over a heated row concerning race.

The ITV reality TV series has been hit with more than 100 Ofcom complaints over an episode aired on 21 September, according to the Mirror. The broadcasting regulator has confirmed that the majority of the 115 complaints pertained to an ongoing argument concerning ethnicity and nationality.

The comments in question related to a row between housemates Johanne and Omar. It came after Johanne pointed out to Lynx that he hadn't been protecting "the sisters" in the house after he called her "the biggest buzzkill".

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The incident led Johanne to say "so much for protecting the Black sisters" directly to Lynx, with Omar inserting into the conversation and saying: "It's a bit far when you call out people's identity."

"It's not America," Omar then said to Johanne, who hails from Los Angeles, and added: "So start acting like it."

Johanne replied saying she knew "it isn't America", with Omar suggesting she should "go back".

"I'm not going back to America, make me go back. Put me on the plane and get me to go back," Johanne then said.

This wasn't the only time Omar and Johanne clashed. In another chat about Lynx, Johanne pointed out how he'd been quick to side with Rhianna after Jedward left her upset, but didn't show the same consideration for the Black women in the house.

Omar then confronted Johanne for bringing race into the conversation, saying: "Johanne, just to let you know. You brought up the whole sister, him being a black man, failing a black woman. You brought it up to him again."

The back and forth led Johanne to explain that she'd heard Lynx speaking to Yas about how he would "never have a disagreement or a fight with a sister in the house" given that his mum and sister are Black, but then he failed to keep his word.

Johanne finally added that she was "throwing his words back in his mouth".

The animated exchanges between Omar and Johanne haven't been the only arguments in the Big Brother house so far.

Johanne was at the centre of yet another row, this time with Rochelle, with more spats erupting in the house as Yas branded Phil "rude" and Rochelle made insensitive comments to Charlotte.

Big Brother airs on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).