The mobile phone company Orange apparently turned down the possiblity of being the sponsor of Big Brother after resistance from its 12,000 UK employees.Orange were given the chance of striking a deal with the reality TV programme when Carphone Warehouse ditched them after the alleged racial bullying incidents in the last series.Chiefs were eager to snatch it up but choose to ask the opinions of their work force. The majority "strongly opposed" the suggestion which was the dumped.A spokesperson is quoted in the Mirror as saying: "We asked our staff what they thought as we like to involve them in decisions. As the majority felt we shouldn't sponsor the show we declined the opportunity."C4 also disclosed in the British newspaper:"Orange received outline proposals but no formal or informal discussions took place."Virgin Media is now being tipped as the favourite to accept the role of sponsoring the show.

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