Coolio sparks new 'race slur' row

Celebrity Big Brother producers are facing fresh criticism today for failing to act over the use of offensive language in the house.

Rap star Coolio used the term "n****r" in a conversation with fellow contestant Ben Adams yesterday morning - but show chiefs chose not to reprimand him.

Speaking to the News Of The World yesterday, a spokeswoman confirmed: "At around 9.20am today, Coolio recounted a vivid dream he experienced overnight in which he had been involved in a fight.

"Coolio used the N-word in his descriptive retelling to Ben. Coolio described how his imaginary adversary called Coolio 'Oh n****r'. This was again immediately flagged to senior production staff at Endemol and C4.

"After reviewing the footage, where Ben clearly took no offence from the use of the word, no other housemates heard the word, the footage was not broadcast to cause offence to viewers and the context that Coolio used the word, no further action was taken."

However, a TV insider commented: "It's as if Channel 4 and Endemol have learnt no lessons from all the previous incidents of racism and appalling behaviour on Big Brother. If he's allowed to use that word without any sort of reprimand, what's next?"

Big Brother 8 contestant Emily Parr was ejected from the house in 2007 after using the same term as she made reference to fellow contestant Charley Uchea.

Meanwhile, Jade Goody sparked an international outcry earlier that year after mocking Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty by branding her "Shilpa Poppadom" and "Shilpa F***awallah" on Celebrity Big Brother 5.