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Celebrity BB: House hit by race row

NOMINATED: Faria

The former FA secretary made the statement to Traci and Dennis after hearing she was up for the chop tomorrow.

The 39-year-old, famous for her fling with England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, broke down in tears after her comments caused outrage in the Big Brother house.

Bangladeshi-born Faria faces eviction on Wednesday with Dead or Alive star Pete, who is favourite to go, and the man Faria has been getting close to in the house, African-American basketball star Dennis.

Asian

Faria told Dennis and Traci: "Do you think they'll ever let a black or Asian girl or guy win this thing? Are you out of your tree? Think about it, darling. Never. Remember that.

"This country? Oh please! Don't even get me going on that. They would never, they'd be up in f***ing arms."

Former Baywatch actress Traci, 38, who is of mixed African-American, Italian, and Native American heritage, recounted the conversation to the rest of the group, asking for their opinion.

"For me, I thought it was going to be fair and square... I thought I did have a chance to win. But according to Faria and Dennis, because I'm female and I'm American and my skin is brown, I don't stand a chance," she said.

Faria heard what was going on and attempted to clarify what had been said but ended up offending her fellow housemates.

An angry Respect MP George Galloway stated: "The idea that people who watch this show are bigots is preposterous.

"Most of the people who've won have been from minorities of one kind or another."

Rula

Actress Rula Lenska added: "The idea of anybody putting that into their vote in the house is an insult."

The celebrities were left with the impression that Dennis had made the comments, despite the fact that Faria had sparked the discussion.

When the 44-year-old found out, he confronted Traci and Faria in the bedroom, saying: "You're trying to point the finger at me."

Faria complained: "But you did say that with me, Dennis," before adding that the discussion had "totally been blown apart".

When he was asked to explain his supposed remarks to the rest of the group, Faria intervened and accepted responsibility.

She said: "Traci had misunderstood and said that Dennis had said something when it was actually I who had said it.

"I said, and I didn't refer to anybody here, that I didn't think it was possible for a black or an Asian to win Big Brother.

Dennis

"But I didn't mention the 'r' word, I meant it just as that. Then Dennis agreed and I said 'why are you here?' and he said "to add colour'.

"I assumed he was talking about skin colour and he wasn't, he was talking about adding spice and entertainment."

She added: "So it was me, I said that, and it wasn't him. It had nothing to do with anybody inside who had said anything."

Breaking down in tears, she continued: "I do feel a little hurt that I've been nominated but I'm sorry but I just do. I'm sorry if I get upset but I've tried to be who I am.

"I apologise to the nation, to everybody here for offending. Obviously this will cause a lot of aggravation but I've got to take it on the chin."

Traci apologised, adding: "I guess it looked like Dennis was the big bad guy and he's not."

Faria later told Traci: "I said what I had to say. Maybe it was wrong or whatever. I stuck my neck out. That's cool. That's fine.

"I know who nominated me that's fine. I'm hurt by it because I'm a bit surprised.

"I also knew I would be out after Jodie. I wasn't shocked. Just a big surprised. I was a bit emotional. I shut everybody up when I said what I said in there."

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