The Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has been on the receiving end of over 3,500 complaints made about reported racism in the Celebrity Big Brother against the actress Shilpa Shetty.Channel 4, which screens the hit programme has received an additional 1,000 extra, resulting in it being the series which has been the most complained about.Inmates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara have allegedly been ridiculing the Bollywood beauty's accent.An anti-bullying organisation has revealed that the 31 year old is "definitely" a victim. The broadcaster has disclosed that it is taking the issue "seriously."On last night's show, Jo reportedly claimed that Indians were thin because they are always ill as a consequence of undercooking food products. The three ladies also moaned that Ms Shetty had picked other people's food with her hands. Danielle said: "You don't know where those hands have been." Act Against Bullying creator Louise Burfitt-Dons is quoted as saying on the BBC website that Jade had "not been behaving properly" and the organisation had taken her image off its website. She also stated that the famous Londoner had donated funds to the charity twelve months ago.

Shilpa's UK manager, Jaz Barton, told BBC Radio Five: "She didn't come into the house to have that sort of harassment.

"You know, she came in there with the full intention to actually embrace the public at large and to be proud of her culture and her heritage and who she is, and now she's faced with all this sort of harassment."

Her mum, Sunanda, divulged to the BBC Asian Network that her daughter was strong but also said: "I hope that she will be able to handle the situation. It is a game and there is a life beyond that.

"I understand her emotions but I really hope that she is not going to get too affected by this treatment that is being meted out to her."

Ofcom said the amount of complaints made increased from 200 on Monday morning to 2,000 on Tuesday morning and the numbers had been helped by Big Brother fan websites.

A spokesperson said: "They are coming in a continuous stream."

Channel 4 had called the occurrences in the House "girly rivalry", but on Wednesday announced that it was taking the concerns seriously.

"Big Brother does not tolerate bullying or racist abuse in any form. Big Brother is closely monitoring all the housemates and will take appropriate measures to reprimand such behaviour where necessary," a spokesman of their's commented.


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