A Big Brother housemate who prompted more than 7,000 complaints has been spoken to about his on-screen behaviour – but some fans say the show’s not doing enough.
Viewers and women’s safety charities had been calling on ITV to intervene in Omar El Mayer and Rhianna Collins’ relationship after several heated exchanges between the pair.
He was called into Big Brother’s Diary Room during Wednesday’s episode and told his language and behaviour “could cause offence”. He denied dismissing Rhianna’s feelings.
ITV has been contacted for comment. The broadcaster previously said “welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production”.
Big Brother contestants live together for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with almost everything they do captured on camera.
The popular reality show format sees divides form and tensions build as housemates try to avoid being eliminated in weekly votes.
Collins and El Mayer struck up a relationship after entering the Big Brother house but concerns about his alleged “toxic” behaviour had grown among fans.
Monday’s episode, which showed a heated exchange between the pair, generated 7,138 complaints, according to broadcast watchdog Ofcom.
Viewers saw Collins break off the relationship before being called to the Diary Room, where she told Big Brother she and El Mayer “have not been good over the last few days”.
“Sometimes I don’t like the way he speaks to me.”
Later, Collins was seen telling El Mayer she didn’t want to argue, to which he replied: “Then don’t say mad things that you don’t mean. It’s not fair… sort it out, get it together.”
Both Women’s Aid and Refuge allege the 21-year-old behaviour towards Collins is concerning and say ITV should do more to protect contestants.