Charity

The series attracted millions of viewers as well as a number of complaints after its thrilling conclusion aired – the corporation has now responded to those

The BBC has responded after a number of complaints were made to the corporation over the charities the Celebrity Traitors victors donated their winnings to.

Last month comedian Romesh Ranganathan, 48, and actor Sebastian Croft, 24, were crowned the winners of the of the second series of the Celebrity Traitors. They won £83,000 between them for their chosen charities, with Croft donating his £41,500 share to the charity Choose Love and Ranganathan sending his cash to the Refugee Council.

However, the BBC said it has received complaints about the charities the prize money has been donated to. Posting an update on its complaints page, the corporation said it had “received complaints about the charities chosen by the winners of The Celebrity Traitors”.

Responding to the complaint, it said: “We recognise that some audience members were unhappy with the charities chosen by the winning celebrities. This feedback has been shared with the relevant parties.”

Last week Ranganathan and Croft hit back against the complaints that had been shared on social media in the wake of their win. Appearing on Croft’s Sunday Scaries podcast, Ranganathan said: “Look, people have different opinions, but I feel like (refugees are) a distraction tactic, and people are being pointed in that direction for something to blame, is my personal opinion.”

The comedian said he decided to support the charity after becoming “so fed up with the rhetoric against refugees”. Ranganathan then said he had received comments calling his choice of charity a “disgrace”.

However, he added: “The people kicking off about it has kind of galvanised the people that really think it’s a lovely thing. I think that discussion, that back and forth, has actually been really positive.”

Croft’s winnings went to Choose Love, a global humanitarian organisation and movement, formerly known as Help Refugees, which supports refugees and displaced people around the world through emergency aid and long-term support. The Heartstopper actor said: “It felt like such a nice moment at the time, but then to see the response, what it made me realise is that’s people’s response to a game show donating money to people who are really vulnerable. Imagine how difficult it is for those people navigating that system.”

Ranganathan also added that it was pure “coincidence” they had both decided to support refugee organisations.

Following Croft’s win, Choose Love’s acting chief executive Emma Stevenson said: “We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful to Bash (Croft) for choosing Choose Love as his designated charity following his incredible win on Celebrity Traitors. Bash has been a long-time friend and dedicated supporter of our work, and we could not be prouder of him.

“This vital funding will quite literally change and save lives. It allows us to extend critical support to refugees and displaced people, especially LGBTQ+ individuals who face displacement, violence and persecution simply for who they are. We can’t thank Bash enough, it means the world.”

The Refugee Council supports people who have fled war, violence and persecution to find safety and rebuild their lives in Britain. Its chief executive Katie Ghose said: “We have loved every minute of watching Romesh and cheering him along from the sidelines. To see him win is the icing on the cake.

“Romesh continues to be a brilliant champion for our cause. As we saw in the castle, he has a unique combination of huge public appeal, warmth and humanity, at the same time as being a gifted comedic legend.

“Romesh’s support will help us continue to provide vital frontline services to refugees and people in the asylum system who come to Britain in search of safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.”

Omar’s actions towards Rhianna in the Big Brother house drew over 7,000 Ofcom complaints, with Refuge joining Women’s Aid in releasing a statement.

The fallout from Monday evening’s Big Brother continues after fans were left disgusted with Omar’s behaviour towards Rhianna.

The pair, who have became an item in the famous ITV house, had an altercation and viewers were fuming with the way he spoke to her. He was filmed sternly telling her not to talk about him and saying: “Your feelings aren’t fact unfortunately.”

They appeared to have made up on Tuesday. Nonetheless, more than 7,000 people sent in their complaints to Ofcom and now the charity Refuge has also shared concerns about the show.

A statement for the charity, which supports sufferers of domestic abuse, said: “Refuge is deeply concerned by the behaviours witnessed during the current series of Big Brother. Media outlets have a responsibility to prioritise participant welfare and to ensure that harmful behaviour is identified and addressed appropriately.

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“Broadcasters must also actively choose not to amplify individuals displaying abusive behaviour. At a time when one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, it is vital that public platforms do not contribute to the normalisation of abusive attitudes or behaviours.

“Every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and protected – both on television and in their everyday lives. Refuge stands in solidarity with all survivors of domestic abuse and calls for media companies to be held accountable for the safety and wellbeing of contestants.”

The charity concluded: “We call on all broadcasters, producers and media organisations to use their platforms responsibly, placing safety, dignity and accountability at the heart of their decision-making.”

ITV issued a statement of their own following the uneasy scenes. They 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.”

Women’s Aid also said on Instagram: “We’re seeing coercive and controlling behaviours being given a platform in popular media like Big Brother. We’ve been contacted by many viewers who have expressed concern. Not only does Big Brother risk minimising survivors’ experiences, it also risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment.

“Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe. The women in these programmes are real people and need real support. We continue to urge television companies such as ITV to engage with experts like Women’s Aid to understand the nature of abuse and how they can do better to protect contestants.”

The issue arose as viewers watched on as an upset Rhianna looked to end the duo’s relationship. She questioned his maturity in conversation and was later called to the Diary Room.

She was asked by Big Brother if she was okay and she told them: “I’m not that good but I’ll be fine. Obviously me and Omar have not been good over the last few days and sometimes I don’t like the way he speaks to me.”

She added: “I wouldn’t let a boy speak to me like that outside of here so why am I letting him speak to me like that… If it keeps going in circles, we can just be friends.”

I’m A Celeb star Dean McCulloch, a regular guest on Big Brother companion shows, said: “Omar needs to be removed from the house with immediate effect.”

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk

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