The actor Christopher Biggins was last night removed from the Celebrity Big Brother house.
The 67-year-old had been the bookies’ favourite to win the reality TV show, but Channel 5 confirmed that comments made by the panto stalwart had overstepped the line to the point where it was not possible for him to remain in the house.
They said in a statement on their website:
“Big Brother has taken the decision to remove Christopher Biggins from the Celebrity Big Brother House. Since entering Big Brother, he has made a number of comments capable of causing great offence to housemates and the viewing public. Big Brother does not tolerate offensive language capable of causing widespread offence. Christopher Biggins has left the House.”
Presenter Emma Willis opened last night’s eviction show by confirming Biggins’ departure. She said the scenes would air on Saturday night’s highlights show, without disclosing exactly why the decision had been taken.
It has been widely reported that the popular TV personality may have made a joke about Nazi concentration camps in front of Jewish housemate Katie Waissel.
However, as noted by The Mirror, Channel 5 are yet to confirm any such accusations.
After the news broke, The Sun Online spoke to Biggins’ agent Jonathan Shalit OBE, who said: “I have been close friends and worked with Biggins for many years and can confirm that he would never intentionally cause offence.
“If something was said in jest which caused offence then I am certain that was not his intention. Biggins is a much loved and wonderful man.”
Biggins, who won I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! had already been in trouble for comments made earlier in the week about bisexuality. Discussing the LGBT community with fellow housemate Renee Graziano, Biggins – who himself is gay – was accused of biphobia after saying, “I think the worst type though is, I’m afraid to say, the bisexuals. What it is is people not wanting to admit they are gay.”
He also said that LGBT is seen as ‘trendy’ in modern society. Regarding the bisexuality remarks, Renee added: “That upsets me. You have to pick a team.”
@bbuk Are you gonna give Biggins and Renee a warning for their biphobia? You'd do it for racism and homophobia. #CBB
— Lily W (@MissLSW) August 1, 2016
Disappointed in Biggins and Renee after that conversation #CBB
— Michelle Visage (@CBBMichelle) August 1, 2016
The Mirror also report that Biggins is expected to lose his £150,000 appearance fee.
Channel 5 have this morning said that a supposed transcript of the conversation that led to his removal being shared on social media is a fake.
You’ll need to tune into Channel 5 tonight to catch the whole story.
