Channel 4 have stopped the public from going to this evenings live Celeb Big Brother eviction because of “heightened fears” concerning the programme.The decision comes after worries that Jade Goody could be targeted by angry masses following her alleged racist bullying of the actress Shilpa Shetty. Ms Goody is the favourite to be booted off the show after the incidents between her and the Bollywood beauty.Channel 4 and the programme's maker Endemol stated this afternoon: "Over the past few days, Celebrity Big Brother has generated an intense and, at times, heated public debate which the evicted housemate will be unaware of. "As a result, Channel 4 and Endemol have taken the decision to conduct tonight's eviction in front of a studio audience and without a crowd." The broadcaster will also carry out increased security actions for the studio audience with more bag checks.In the meantime, the channel confirmed a few hours ago that it was to donate all profits from the poll for this evening's eviction to charity, states the Sun newspaper. It's hoped the move will deflect critics that say it is making money on the back of the controversy.

Tagged in