BB girls 'hug and make up'
2007-01-19 11:57
London - Indian actress Shilpa Shetty has accepted apologies from her tormentors on the Celebrity Big Brother television show, but controversy rumbled on over what thousands of Britons see as racist abuse.
Channel 4 television, which has been under pressure from politicians and the public to deal with the issue, said producers had spoken to Shetty's antagonists, Jade Goody and Danielle Lloyd.
Goody, who became a celebrity after enduring much abuse herself in an earlier edition of Big Brother, approached Shetty on Thursday night, saying: "I know that what has happened has not been nice for you... and a lot of stuff got said the other day from you and from myself."
"I didn't say it in a racial way... I do not judge people by the colour of their skin," said Goody.
"I know that, I don't think you're racist," Shetty said, and the two hugged.
Lloyd, a former beauty queen, also apologised, saying she was disgusted with her own behaviour.
"I didn't agree with some of the things you said to Jade, but I especially didn't agree with some of the things that Jade said to you," Lloyd said.
"I'm sorry. 'Cause I'm young and quite naive, I've probably took the route where I'll stick with Jade.
"I feel really disgusted at myself ... I'm following the leader, following the group - when you are a really nice girl," Lloyd said.
'Give me a hug'
Shetty responded: "Give me a hug."
On Wednesday, a major sponsor suspended its deal with Celebrity Big Brother, a chain of perfume shops pulled Goody's fragrance, "Shh..", from its shelves, and an insurance company cancelled its contract with Lloyd.
The Indian Tourism Office saw an opportunity to drum up a little business from the controversy, placing advertisements in several British newspapers on Friday.
"Dear Jade Goody," the ad said. "Once your current commitments are over, may we invite you to experience the healing nature of India.
"Being one of the world's oldest civilisations, our land is one where the ancient and the modern co-exist and a multitude of religions live in harmony."
- AP