Big Brother gets over 1,600 Ofcom complaints after fans call out ‘bullying’
Rochelle and Johanne’s behaviour attracted Ofcom complaints (Initial TV)
ITV’s Big Brother received 1,654 Ofcom complaints in a single week, with the biggest spikes linked to episodes featuring clashes involving Johanne Cade and Rochelle Rackham and allegations of “bullying” behaviour towards housemate Twinks Burnett.
Ofcom’s weekly figures cover 30 September to 5 October. The highest-complaint episode was 30 September, which drew 1,191 complaints linked to incidents involving Johanne and Rochelle.
During that episode, Big Brother gave Johanne a formal warning following a heated exchange with Rochelle in a nominations task. Producers deemed her tone and body language unacceptable, and some viewers were frustrated Rochelle did not also receive a warning.
The second-highest total in the same period came from the 4 October episode, which received 191 complaints relating to alleged “bullying” behaviour towards Twinks.
On 5 October, Ofcom received 53 complaints about Big Brother, also relating to the treatment of new housemate Twinks.
Last week, the 27 September episode attracted 493 complaints, with 122 more this week, with many raising concerns about alleged racism and bullying claims towards Rochelle by other housemates, including remarks by Johanne.
Then there were 97 complaints following Johanne’s live eviction on Friday, relating to the treatment of both her and Rochelle around the eviction, including alleged racism and bullying behaviour.
Big Brother backlash
Twinks has been at the centre of on-screen tension this week after she entered the house, alongside Catrin Richards, on Friday.
The house was left divided after Twinks spoke about what it meant to be an LGBTQ+ ally, with viewers split over the fallout.
During the conversation, Philip Regan, who is gay, complained that “if you want to be classed as a fridge, you’re classed as a fridge”.
The chat soon turned to bathrooms, with Rochelle exclaiming: “I wouldn’t be happy with a transgender in the toilet with me.”
Twinks, who is bisexual, tried to explain the importance of being an ally, however co-star Omar El Mayer refused to accept the label, saying: “It’s wrong to say that I’m a gay ally like I’m just walking around with gay guys and that, that’s just a mad ting.”
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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