Overview
- Televised footage shown on Monday captured tense exchanges in which Omar told Rhianna “You’ve really f***ed me off,” whispered for her not to talk about him, urged her not to cry and led producers to call Rhianna to the Diary Room to check her welfare.
- Women’s Aid condemned the scenes as worrying examples of coercive and controlling behaviour, said viewers had contacted the charity, and asked to meet the production to discuss better protection for contestants.
- Big Brother and ITV said all housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training, are monitored 24 hours a day and have access to a dedicated welfare team, and no disciplinary removal has been announced.
- Viewers reacted strongly on social media, with many calling for Omar’s removal or a double eviction and others threatening to stop watching because of repeated edits centring the pair.
- The show remains on air and commercially successful, with ITV citing 202 million ITVX streams and a reunion episode commissioned, but the controversy puts pressure on broadcasters to clarify editorial choices and contestant safeguards.