Ofcom rejects "bullying" Coolio complaints

Ofcom has rejected 527 complaints about this year's Celebrity Big Brother, the majority of which were about alleged bullying in the house.

Many complaints sent to the regulator alleged that Coolio had made "misogynistic" and "sexist" comments and subjected other housemates to "boorish" and "bullying" behaviour. His conduct towards fellow contestant Michelle Heaton was of particular concern. Some complaints also said that Coolio was being "negatively stereotyped as an aggressive black man".

Ofcom said that Big Brother "will almost inevitably contain controversial material" and that "emotional and potentially offensive exchanges will at times occur between housemates".

On Coolio's behaviour, Ofcom assessed: "Coolio was a 'larger than life' character in the House, playing the role for many viewers of the 'villain of the piece' where such a role, after 10 years of Big Brother, is generally expected by the audience. He exhibited an acerbic wit; was clearly at times quite bored; baited female Housemates; and, was at times, generally unpleasant, making statements and references that appeared calculated to be potentially offensive and provoke a reaction."

It added that Channel 4 has a duty to accurately reflect events in the house because an attempt to "sanitise" proceedings would be seen by viewers as an attempt to manipulate voting. In this case, Ofcom said it felt that Channel 4's handling of contestants' conduct in the house did not bring into question the broadcaster's compliance with the broadcasting code and therefore upheld none of the complaints.