'Big Brother' condemned by autism group

Autism advocacy group Autism United is trying to speak with US network CBS over comments made by a Big Brother contestant, reports the Associated Press.

Contestant Adam Jasinski, who claims to work for an autism foundation, spoke about wanting to win the show's cash prize to build a hair salon "so retards can get it together and get their hair done".

Fellow contestant Sheila responded quickly, saying: "Don't call them that."

The 29-year-old from Florida replied: "Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?"

John Gilmore, Autism United's executive director, said that he had been trying to contact CBS to lodge a complaint since the show aired.

CBS released a statement calling Jasinski's comments "offensive".

"We certainly find the statements made by Adam to be offensive but believe they were countered by the immediate reaction of shock and condemnation from a fellow houseguest, Sheila," the statement said.

"Adam's remarks would not have been permitted to air unchallenged."

The show, currently in its ninth series in the US, has previously had to remove some contestants following incidents deemed to be violent or racist.