Complaints over Big Bro 'double standards'

Channel 4 has received further criticism after one of the Big Brother housemates was shown calling another a "poof."

Nine days into the current series of Big Brother contestant Emily was removed from the house in the early hours of the morning after using the word "nigger."

At the time Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team at Channel 4, said "such behaviour won't be tolerated."

On last Sunday’s episode of the show, contestant Laura used the term "poof" in the context of fellow housemate Liam not being sufficiently masculine.

Channel 4 deny that they are treating homophobic language as less serious than racist language.

A spokeswoman said: "During a chat in the bedroom Laura was tickling Liam's feet as he tried not to laugh. When he did laugh, Laura called him "you poof" in an affectionate and flirting way. The words were not said in anger nor were they intended to be derogatory or demeaning. Neither Liam, nor any other housemate, took offence to this term. The use of the word was carefully considered in the context in which it was said and consideration given to the fact that no offence was intended or caused to any other housemate," the spokeswoman said. However we understand how this word could cause offence to some viewers and we have taken on board these concerns. All housemates are and will be continually monitored regarding any language or behaviour that Big Brother deems unacceptable."

The statement went onto say that Big Brother: "absolutely does not regard homophobia as any less serious than racism."

Digital station GaydarRadio has been receiving complaints from the gay and lesbian community about the remark, as well as male contestant Ziggy's reference to the women in the house as ‘lesbians', and the general derogatory manner in which the word 'gay' has continuously been flung around the Big Brother house.

GaydarRadio is calling on viewers to send complaints directly to Channel 4 and Ofcom.

Robin Crowley, GaydarRadio programme controller, said: “Whether the word was used in an affectionate way or not, the term ‘you poof’ is meant in a demeaning way. As the word ‘nigger’ is unacceptable to the black community, so too is the word ‘poof’ unacceptable to the gay and lesbian community.”