Big Brother celebrities accused of racism

This year's Celebrity Big Brother is at the centre of a racism controversy, over allegations that the housemates are bullying the only Indian contestant.

Shilpa Shetty: Big Brother celebrities accused of racism

Shilpa Shetty: Former model who can speak six languages

Ofcom, the media watchdog, has received 200 complaints from viewers about the treatment of Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood actress.

In the last few days viewers have seen fellow housemate Jackiey Goody repeatedly refuse to pronounce Shetty's name, referring to her only as "the Indian".

Other female housemates, including Jo O'Meara, formerly of the pop band S Club 7, and Danielle Lloyd, a former beauty queen, have mocked her accent and refused to eat the food she has cooked.

Last night Shetty, who has helped raise awareness of Aids and the mistreatment of animals in India, was reduced to floods of tears by her treatment.

Jade Goody, Jackiey's daughter and a fellow contestant, has been dropped by an anti-bullying charity she used to support because of her aggressive behaviour on the show, according to reports.

Act Against Bullying said her treatment of Shetty was "unforgivable".