Faria 'fesses up, sets record straight

Faria admitted that her comments had sparked today's household row over race, finally setting the record straight.

As the group sat down for lunch, Dennis emerged from the bedroom and was called upon to explain the remarks everyone believed that he had made.

Instead Faria jumped in and accepted responsibility for the situation. "Traci had misunderstood and said that Dennis had said something when it was actually I who had said it," she began. "I said, and I didn't refer to anybody here, that I didn't think it was possible for a black or an Asian to win Big Brother. But I didn't mention the 'r' word, I meant it just as that. Then Dennis agreed and I said 'why are you here?' and he said "to add colour'. I assumed he was talking about skin colour and he wasn't, he was talking about adding spice and entertainment."

She added: "So it was me, I said that, and it wasn't him. Perhaps Traci misunderstood. It had nothing to do with anybody inside who had said anything. It was me, I had said it. That's where the land lies."

Starting to cry, she continued: "I do feel a little hurt that I've been nominated but I'm sorry but I just do. I'm sorry if I get upset but I've tried to be who I am. I apologise to the nation, to everybody here for offending. Obviously this will cause a lot of aggravation but I've got to take it on the chin."

Traci also offered up an apology for her part in the debacle, announcing: "I have to apologise for bringing it into the house in that way. I guess it looked like Dennis was the big bad guy and he's not."

With all the cards finally on the table, the group set about analysing exactly why the siuation had been blown up into a big issue. "To me the moral of the story is that we need to be more honest and open with each other," said George, "instead of half-hearing conversations and carrying them elsewhere."

He added: "If there was any racism in the house, believe me, I would have picked up on it by now."