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Alex facing the Big Brother axe as number of complaints rises
Last updated at 17:14pm on 13.06.08
Big Brother hate-figure Alexandra De Gale is facing the axe from the show after viewers continued to complain about her endless stream of foul-mouthed tirades.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom confirmed today that they had received 505 complaints over the aggressive behaviour of the accounts executive from Croydon.
Nearly 1,000 viewers have complained and producers have now decided the time has come to act.
An insider told the Daily Star: 'Fans may not even have to wait for an eviction, she could get the boot a lot sooner", an insider told the paper.
Alexandra pointing this afternoon....
"They (Channel 4) will not condone the way in which she has conducted herself and if she leaves other housemates feeling physically intimidated again she could find herself packing her bags.'
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom said yesterday that it has been receiving complaints since Alex launched her foul-mouthed tirade on Tuesday night's show, while Channel 4 has received a further 250 complaints.
Bullying UK director Liz Carnell hit out at the broadcaster for showing the scenes.
She said: 'I'm sure Channel 4 are delighted with the controversy it's caused but it's sending out a message to young people who see what is clearly bullying.
'The aggression shown is unacceptable. Young people are going to be watching and expecting that they can get away with that sort of thing. Channel 4 should take action.'
Channel 4's decision comes as one of Alex's former work colleagues claimed she used to bully people at her old job.
Ex-colleague Jake Homatas told the Daily Mirror that the fiery housemate's time in a telesales job in Purley, Surrey saw her "make a lot of enemies".
"She bullied girls or people who can't carry themselves in conversation," Jake said.
Rachel was in tears after having an argument with Alexandra over who should cook the food
"No one in the office could handle her, so the company put her on field sales after two months just to get rid of her.
"She could do the job - she just couldn't work with anyone else."
Earlier this week, show bosses were forced to step in after 23-year-old Alex stunned viewers with her vicious verbal attacks.
The latest complaints came after she laid into 21-year-old contestant Rebecca Shiner for burning the chips she had prepared for dinner.
When Rachel tried to defend her she also received a barrage of verbal abuse.
Alex said: "Your getting on my f****** nerves, you pr***. I don't give a f**** what you think."
She was called into the show's Diary Room and was warned about her abusive behaviour, after weeping contestant Rachel Rice, 24, complained.
Bullying UK director Liz Carnell hit out at the broadcaster for showing the scenes.
She said: "I'm sure Channel 4 are delighted with the controversy it's caused but it's sending out a message to young people who see what is clearly bullying.
"The aggression shown is unacceptable. Young people are going to be watching and expecting that they can get away with that sort of thing. Channel 4 should take action."
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We are closely monitoring the situation and will take any appropriate action."
Reader views (15)
I absolutely can't stand her, she is acidic, bad humoured and aggressive. She shouldn't be kicked out early though, I want her to face the crowd and the amount of abuse she will get from them. I hope she breaks down and get exactly what she deserves. I have never felt so annoyed at a house mate in the past.
At least Charlie was good looking, this ignorant little whelp looks like an elderly old hag with a permanent contorted face. I can't stand her ugly, scrunched up, minging head.
- Paul, Dublin
Quite honestly this woman is doing my head in, she is far too violent and aggressive she is sexist, a hypocrite, when she was at school she was expelled for doing weed and being a racist bully...yet she should not be removed from the house. She should be nominated and voted out and until then...put her in that 'naughty room' they have
- Matt, Maidstone
Oh my goodness, social services should be looking to visit her poor child, God only knows how she deals with her when she doesnt' eat her dinner or make her bed..poor child. As a mother of a teenager I would be filled with shame at any child of mine behaving in such an appalling manner. What a dreadful example to the youths watching her behaviour. Channel 4 have a responsibility to its viewers and have no choice but to evict her poste haste as it is wholly unacceptable to allow young, impressionable kids to watch such aggression from a young woman. Charlie is a pussy cat compared to this ugly excuse of a woman.
- Trish, Westerham
She seems to have all the chips Rebecca cooked on her shoulders.
- Malcolm, Chingford
She is giving LONDONERS a terrible reputation.
This is not amusing viewing and frankly, something should be done before viewers start to grow tired of BB.
- Maria, London
She is an embarrassment to black people, to women and to South Londoners, she disgusts me on so many levels!
- Kb, London
I am totally disgusted with this so called woman and mother, she is uncontrollable. I think she should be evicted immediately without any more leeway. I think she is a thug and we as viewers also have a responsibility and should protest more in order to stop this type of person staying in that house she is a disgrace to mankind...and whoever her employer is he should just sack her on grounds of bad reputation. I dislike this, this... I can't even bring myself to call her a person.
- Mandy Lavia, Bristol
Bad role models for young people; makes me sound like an old fogey but these people get air time and fame for being obnoxious and disrespectful - all for our 'entertainment'. Scrap this awful programme.
- Angela, London
They should stick put down king Pete Burns in there with her. Going on his previous performances, he'd take this silly, mouthy little girl down a peg or two.
- M, London
I totally agree, she is so rude and obnoxious that she should be shown the door. Her lack of respect for the other guys and girls in the house is appalling, she must have come over all sweetness and light in her entry interview to get on the show.
- Dawn, Epping
Leave her in, she's the best thing about Big Brother this year. Her housemates are duller than death.
- Piqued, London
Oh the BB bosses actively encourage this woman's behaviour! How did she get through the auditions? She is so vile she could not have pretended to be nice, so they knew what they were getting when they put her in there.
I am so sick of Channel 4 and BB feigning 'responsibility' over this programme.
- Kh, London UK
It's painful to watch, god knows what it must be like to be in there. This girl is seriously damaged and really needs professional help!
- Anon, UK
Re: her dismissive behaviour towards Mikey and downright bullying of others in the house, I sincerely hope that this vile individual will face similar censure to that heaped on Jade Goody et al for their treatment of Shilpa Shetty.
Or is it different when it's a person "of colour" dishing it out?
- Helen, London, UK
She should be axed, she is rude and inconsiderate. Has anyone else noticed that she fails to include Mikey in conversation? Instead of talking to him she refers to the poor guy as 'he' even if he is standing right next to her.
- Sally, Wycombe
