Big Brother housemate Omar has received a warning from ITV after becoming the source of 7,000 Ofcom complaints due to his treatment of Rhianna, his girlfriend on the show.
Viewers have been complaining in their droves after the contestant was accused of controlling behaviour, which prompted many to contact charity Women’s Aid, who said that ITV risked presenting abuse as entertainment by airing the scenes.
Omar and Rhianna entered the compound six weeks ago and started a relationship within the first week. But in the last week, during several conversations in which Rhianna expressed doubt about their future, he appeared to repeatedly dismiss her emotions, telling her: “You’ve really f***ed me off by saying what you said.
Later, while she was chatting to other housemates, he walked up to her and said into her ear: “Do me a favour. I know you’re upset, but don’t talk about me.”
Later, when Rhianna tried to cover her head in her hands, Omar told her: “Look at me – don’t look away from me.”
Big Brother called Rhianna to the Diary Room to separate the pair. After the scenes aired, many concerned viewers flooded X and Instagram with messages urging ITV to remove Omar from the house.
In Wednesday night’s episode (21 October), Omar was called into the Diary Room where he was told: “Big Brother wants to bring to your attention that at times, it appears that you are dismissing your fellow housemates' feelings and experiences, and not acknowledging the impact such behaviour could have on your fellow housemates and the viewing public.
“Some of your language used on more than one occasion and the behaviour you have exhibited could cause offence to your fellow housemates or the viewing public.'
Omar replied: “I fully understand. Just, I've never dismissed a housemate's feelings, in all honesty. If I felt like a housemate was feeling something towards me, which was incorrect, I would say it was incorrect. Not necessarily dismiss it, or tell them they don't deserve a feeling and they don't deserve to feel like that.
“Let's be honest here. We're not talking about housemates, we're talking about my conversations with me and Rhianna. I did not walk in with any bad intentions or any malice and I didn't attempt to exercise anything malicious towards anyone. Like I said, I've acknowledged my housemate's feelings.”
However, Big Brother said: “Omar, you must always be mindful of the impact your language and behaviour can have on others.”
Reflecting on the warning, Omar approached Rhianna, stating: “So this is gonna be a very, very, very difficult conversation but I'm gonna unpack a lot of things. I just wanna pose you with the question: have I ever controlled you in any way? Or limited you in any way?”
Rhianna responded: “The word ‘controlled’ is crazy. You haven't and I don't feel that way. I am my own person; no one can control me, just like no one can control you.”
Omar said he was “sorry if, for whatever reason, I have made you feel upset”, to which Rhianna said: “I don't like arguing, I don't like bickering. I don't like these conversations, I don't want them to be had... So I will come and tell you if I don't like what you're doing.”
The episode arrived after Women’s Aid said it was “worrying to see behaviours like this being given a platform in popular media like Big Brother”.
Veronica Oakeshott, the charity’s head of external affairs, told The Independent: “The nature of abuse means that it often begins with ‘red flag’ coercive and controlling behaviours like isolating you from friends or repeatedly putting you down, before escalating into other forms of abuse.
“Coercive control creates invisible chains and a sense of fear that impacts every element of a survivor’s life.”
She continued: “Not only does Big Brother risk minimising survivors’ experiences, it also risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment. We must do better to call out and reject abuse as soon as we see it, so women and children can learn the signs and themselves feel confident in speaking up and seeking safety.
“Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe. The women in these programmes are real people and need real support.”
The Independent has contacted ITV for comment.
In a statement issued before Women’s Aid’s statement, a spokesperson said: “All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectations for appropriate behaviour and language.
“Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately. Welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production, with a dedicated welfare team available to support Housemates before, during and after their time in the House.”
The Independent has contacted Women’s Aid for additional comment.
Big Brother was rebooted by ITV in 2023, and this year’s edition – the fourth – has been the most successful yet.
According to ITV, the series has amassed 202m streams on ITVX. Following its success, the channel has commissioned a reunion episode, which will bring back all the housemates after the finale airs on 6 November.
Read MoreTributes pour in after death of veteran Coronation Street star
Women’s Aid: ‘Big Brother risks presenting abuse as entertainment’
Coronation Street legend says appearing in ITV soap ‘saved his life’
The village from Graham Norton's reality TV show could be yours for £7.5m
The Gentlemen star says King Charles should have handed throne to William and Kate
BBC ‘actively considering’ Vittorio Angelone row after sitcom star’s rape remark
