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BB scraps vote after Shilpa blunder
26.01.07
Under threat: bookies say the blunder may cost Shilpa Shetty her place
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Celebrity Big Brother is at the centre of a voting storm today.
The show's producers Endemol were forced to scrap all votes cast since last night for Friday's eviction after appearing to favour race row contestant Shilpa Shetty.
The Bollywood star was one of five contestants in line for the boot. Phone numbers to evict her four rivals were shown in graphics on screen but for Shilpa the number displayed was to save her instead.
A show spokesman said it was a "genuine mistake" but fans who contacted London Lite suspected it was an attempt to manipulate the vote to keep Shilpa who has suffered at the hands of other housemates.
Endemol said today: "We will reimburse anyone who wants their money back and all profits will go to charity." The lines will reopen after tonight's show. The four other contestants up for eviction are Dirk Benedict, Jo O'Meara, Ian Watkins and Cleo Rocos.
The latest row comes in the wake of last week's furore over C4's handling of allegations of racism.
But channel bosses remain defiant. The chief executive, Andy Duncan, and the director of television, Kevin Lygo, said no one's job would be at risk despite the record number of complaints - 43,700 - received by media watchdog Ofcom.
Mr Lygo also courted controversy when he admitted the race row livened up "the most boring BB".
Bosses of the show appeared to notice their error over the voting at midnight, when a message appeared on the website saying: "There was a technical error with the voting package. We would like to make clear that this week it's a vote to evict."
One viewer said: "When you looked at the screen there was no way that you could vote Shilpa out. It made you wonder whether Channel 4 had done it on purpose to try and save her."
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Reader views (7)
What a mess up! I did notice something strange at the time but not quickly enough to fathom it. This error is perhaps evidence of all the string-pulling the producers have been accused of.
Any tampering would be a shame because there's no real need for Shilpa to win - the CBB crown is now tainted in more ways than one and it will bring its wearer no great benefit.
The true victory has already taken place; Shilpa enduring aggressive partial treatment up to her only exasperated put-down, 'your claim to fame is this!' Her tormentors will spend some time rebuilding their careers while shedding tears. And the issues of bullying and racism and their effects have been brought to the fore for open discussion.
Though, in the name of TV entertainment, I don't think Shilpa would even have wanted it this way. And she'll probably openly forgive and release Jade etc, as they could do with all the help, and ride off into the sunset.
The producers should let nature run its course - any intervention patronises an already awful situation that no one will truly triumph from. CBB should crown anyone then do its best to clear up any fallout for all involved.
- Mark, London, England
I still don't know how to vote... So, I am not. I had voted to save Shilpa.
- Richard, Southampton
This error would not benefit Shilpa - it would harm her. Shilpa's fans would have texted to save her, when in reality they were texting to EVICT her.
- Karen, London
So fed up of hearing about this. The only people who care are the ones who put their lives on hold to watch it. I guarantee you'll all have forgotten about it in 1 month.
- J, London
I stopped watching it after Jade was given warning about how her behaviour was being perceived before her stage-managed eviction night. It's got nothing to do with reality when the bosses are pulling the strings behind the scenes the way they so obviously have been doing.
- Kay, London
I am sorry to say that this article has got itself confused. The "mistake" actually is bad for Shilpa not good. If people who support her think they need to vote to save her, then they will vote. However the vote is to evict and therefore the vote would count against her.
- Bradley Colmans, Southgate, London
This whole affair has been bungled so badly since day one, it's almost as if George Bush were in charge.
- Terry Ellison, USA
