Ofcom is ‘currently assessing’ Evander Holyfield’s anti-gay remarks on Celebrity Big Brother

Jan 06 2014
Written by Rochelle Sampy

Ofcom has confirmed it’s “currently assessing” Evander Holyfield’s ‘gay ain’t normal’ comments on Celebrity Big Brother, following several complaints from viewers.

A spokesperson for the UK broadcasting watchdog said to PinkNews.co.uk: ” We can confirm we have received complaints, which we are currently assessing. However, no decision has been made to formally investigate at this stage.”

After Luisa Zissman, a former Apprentice runner-up, stated that openness about sexuality in the sports industry would be good, the ex-world heavyweight champion said: “What would be good about it?”

Zissman replied: “I think it’s good to be open like that because it’s normal”, Holyfield said: “But that ain’t normal.”

The American attempted to explain his comment by saying “the Bible lets you know there’s wrong, there’s right”.

Zissman, 26, said: “That’s just the way some people are born.”

Holyfield replied: “It don’t make no difference. If you’re born and your leg were turned this way, what do you do? You go to a doctor and get it fixed back right.”

The entrepreneur repeatedly urged the retired boxer to change the subject, telling him: “I don’t think this is an appropriate conversation to have in this house.”

Holyfield was reprimanded by Channel 5 for this conversation.

A spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother said: “Following Evander Holyfield’s comments about his personal views of homosexuality last night, Big Brother spoke to him in the diary room.

“Evander was told that his views weren’t shared by a large section of society and that expressing those views and the language he used could be seen as extremely offensive to many people. He was warned to think carefully about repeating them. Evander understood and accepted this.

“The producers of Big Brother will continue to monitor this and will take further appropriate action should a similar matter arise again.”