Richard responds to 'racism' complaints

Wendy Richard has admitted that she feels devastated after being accused of racism by Big Brother's Little Brother viewers.

The former EastEnders actress was appearing on Monday's episode of the E4 Big Brother spinoff when she criticised Thai housemate Kathreya Kasisopa for being "fake".

She then continued: "What is it they say about these inscrutable Chinese? And she is Thai, but it is all Oriental isn't it? Well it is to me anyway."

Challenged by show host George Lamb about her remarks, Richard added: "They don't betray their emotions on their face, that is what I meant."

TV regulator Ofcom confirmed that it was investigating complaints from viewers yesterday, while E4 chiefs cut Richard's comments from repeat broadcasts.

Responding to the row on LBC radio yesterday, Richard said: "I'm so upset, I'm so close to tears. I feel ill. I can't believe such a brouhaha has started up. What I was trying to convey is that Kat did not betray her thoughts about what was going on in the house all of the time.

"I have just been told by an American friend that Oriental is considered offensive in the US and I did not know that. I didn't mean to cause offence."

She added: "It's a long time since I was at school but I was thinking of those Arthur Conan Doyle books with Sherlock Holmes when it was the inscrutable Chinese."

Kathreya was evicted from the house with 4.9% of the vote to win on Tuesday night.