BB9 Darnell criticises "N-word" decision

BB9 housemate Darnell Swallow has criticised Channel 4's decision to censor the "N-word" from Celebrity Big Brother's live coverage.

Coolio used the word during a chat with Ben on Saturday and Darnell told The Sun that cutting it was "unfair".

The songwriter claimed that the word is acceptable in the right environment, saying: "What Coolio said was in context, to me that's fine. Hip-hop is the music of our generation. But it's difficult because when it's used in music it means white people can't sing it, but black people can, which is unfair."

He admitted: "I was warned against using the N-word after using it a lot in auditions. I think I said it by accident three times in the show, but very quietly."

Big Brother bosses promised a zero-tolerance approach to bad language and racism after the race row surrounding Shilpa Shetty in 2007. Emily Parr was ejected from that year's non-celebrity series for using the N-word in a conversation with fellow contestant Charley Uchea.

A Big Brother spokesperson said: "Given the context in which Coolio used the word, no further action was taken. However, constant monitoring for any unacceptable language is ongoing. Big Brother is always prepared to remind all housemates of the rules when necessary."