Big Brother sparks Ofcom complaints after fans angered by 'misogynistic' comments

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Big Brother has sparked complaints from Ofcom viewers after ‘alleged misogynistic comments’ were made by a housemate on the new series.

Last week, fans of the ITV reality show expressed their fury after housemate Marcello, a 34-year-old youth mentor, lied about kissing Ali, a 38-year-old forensic psychologist.

The two were smoking in the smoking area when Marcello claimed they ‘kissed’.

Despite Ali insisting it was ‘not a thing’, Marcello rushed back to the other housemates saying they had ‘just kissed’, despite Ali being a lesbian and having a girlfriend outside the house.

After Ali pointed out that they didn’t kiss, Marcello laughed and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry. We don’t kiss; I am joking.’

Later, when Ali confronted Marcello, telling him: ‘You’re trying to ruin my life’, he replied: ‘You went into the smoking room! You knew what you were doing.

Marcello on Big Brother. He is standing in front of the doors of the Big Brother House holding a microphone in his mouth, wearing an orange patterned shirt and a white tank top underneath. — The housemate was criticized for his ‘vile’ behavior (Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Rex Features/Shutterstock for Big Brother)

There on Big Brother. Ali has long red hair and wears a gold necklace and a black studded blouse. — Many viewers expressed their support for Ali (Photo: Rex Features/Shutterstock for Big Brother)

Big Brother fans were angered by the situation, with one called txbamxnmicxh_s saying on X that Marcello was ‘vile’ and ‘I need him out of that house NOW’.

MiichaelKing added that Ali was “clearly uncomfortable around Marcello”, adding that considering ITV chose to show footage of the smoking area, “the producer can clearly see a problem with the way he acts”.

It was also highlighted that Ali’s experience “perfectly reflected the fetishization, invalidation and outright anguish that lesbians and queer women face at the hands of straight men every day.”

It has now been revealed that on Friday 11 October, the day this interaction appeared on the programme, 72 complaints were made to Ofcom.

Marcello on Big Brother wearing a yellow shirt and a black safety hat — Several fans called for Marcello to be removed from the house due to his behavior (Photo: Rex Features/Shutterstock for Big Brother)

There on Big Brother, wearing a shiny black blouse with a round neckline. — Ali recently expressed his desire to leave the show on his own, but later reversed his decision (Photo: Rex Features/Shutterstock for Big Brother)

The media watchdog confirmed to Metro.co.uk that the complaints in question “related to Marcello’s behavior and his alleged misogynistic comments”.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that four housemates were facing eviction – Lily, 20; Stun, 24; Marta, 26; and Ali.

Martha’s nomination came about because Khaled, 23, was given the power to make a killer nomination.

The second eviction of this series of Big Brother is set to take place on Friday night, where presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best will announce the results.

Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.

Big Brother returns tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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