Channel 4's Big Brother 'delight'

They met to discuss the controversy over the allegedly racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty by other contestants including Jade Goody.

More here:

• Calls for Channel 4 scalps over BB row

• Jade Goody admits she was being racist

• Our horror over Shilpa's Big Brother ordeal, by parents

• Jade's house highlights

• Share your views

• In-depth Big Brother coverage

After a four-hour meeting Luke Johnson, chairman of Channel 4, said it would review the processes by which the show was made.

But one well-placed source said: "There was a definite feeling among executives that rather than being horrified and desperately upset by how this whole row has taken off, they were in fact in rather buoyant mood.

"There was a mood of selfcongratulation that ratings had rocketed.

"And they felt that far from encouraging racism, they had done a service by highlighting what victims have to go through."

Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said: "If it is true that they are taking this attitude, then I am appalled."

He demanded the resignation of Channel 4 chief executive Alan Duncan.

Speaking outside Channel 4's offices following a board meeting to discuss the future of the show, Mr Johnson said the channel's board abhorred racism and profoundly regretted any offence caused to viewers.

"Clearly many people were worried and offended by what they saw. I want to reassure them that we take the views of our audience very seriously and profoundly regret any offence that may have been caused," he said.

Read the Channel 4 statement in full here ...

• Channel 4 Big Brother statement

"All board members of Channel 4 abhor racism. We are also committed to ensuring that the channel continues to fulfil its remit to explore important social issues."

Mr Johnson said the board would receive a full report and would seek to identify lessons that could be learned for the future.

But while he said Channel 4 remained focused on the completion of Celebrity Big Brother over the next week, he made no mention of the long-term future of the show.

He said: "The Channel 4 board recognises that the events of the last week on Celebrity Big Brother have provoked an unprecedented level of public complaint.

"We believe this has triggered an important debate."

Mr Johnson said they were expecting to hear from Ofcom shortly about the number of complaints the media watchdog had received over the show and requesting a formal response to concerns. The review commissioned tonight would assist that process, he said.

Ofcom earlier said it had received about 40,000 complaints about the programme. Viewing figures for Friday's eviction show peaked at 8.8 million, Channel 4 said.

Pressure on the network has been mounting as politicians added their voices to the criticism of the reality TV show.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson argued "British values" needed to be taught in schools to combat the "ignorance and bigotry" seen on Celebrity Big Brother.

Chancellor Gordon Brown was even forced to comment on it during a visit to India after protesters burned effigies of the show's producers.

Meanwhile contestant Jade Goody, 25, admitted Shilpa had been subjected to "bullying and racism" on the programme.

She said her behaviour towards the Indian actress had been the biggest mistake of her life and said she was concerned about her family receiving abuse from the public as a result of her behaviour.

Jade said of Shilpa: "She was a victim of bullying and racism, yes. I can understand why she would have said that."

But Jade denied being a racist and said she was "disgusted" with her own behaviour.

And in an angry statement today, her agent said the reality TV star was now a victim of bullying from the media and was being treated by doctors for "shock and depression".

The statement from agent John Noel reads: "Jade is completely distraught and is receiving medical attention for shock and depression.

"She has publicly apologised to Shilpa and to the country on national television. Jade has had the courage to say sorry, to face her critics and to try to make amends.

"That's a lot more than most would do, but certain factions in the media will not be happy without blood.

"What sort of message does that send out? Aren't they doing to Jade what Jade is accused of doing to Shilpa?"