New racism row engulfs Big Brother

Race reared its head again when drama student Emily Parr, 19, called black contestant Charley Uchea a 'n***er'.

She was dramatically ejected from the controversial house in the early hours of Thursday, before her housemates woke to hear the news.

Channel 4 bosses immediately moved into action after being damaged by the last series of Celebrity Big Brother, when they were accused of not taking allegations of racist abuse seriously enough.

But they have been criticised again for deciding to screen the word in a highlights show. Channel 4 said viewers would hear the word n***er to give context to the day's events, but the show will be proceeded by a warning.

The incident happened just eight days into the eighth series, which Channel 4 hoped would take a new, lighter tone. The programme was thrown into chaos, with Friday's eviction night cancelled.

Viewers who have already paid out to evict either Emily, 19, from Bristol, or north London temp receptionist Shabnam Paryani, 22, will be refunded.

Charley, the cousin of Manchester United star Kieran Richardson, broke down in tears when she was told the news by Lesley Brain, 60, who read out a statement at 9.30am. The others were left speechless and open-mouthed when told about what had happened.

Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team at Channel 4, said the word was used "carelessly rather than maliciously". But she said it was "clearly racially offensive".

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) said: "Whichever way you look at it, the 'N' word is clearly offensive." It added: "We're relieved that Channel 4 has acted quickly.