ITV Big Brother housemate sparks Ofcom complaints after 'racist' joke left viewers saying 'get her out'

Big Brother has been hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints from disappointed viewers, after housemate Sarah’s alleged racist comment.

The TV regulator received 745 complaints related to an episode that aired on November 7, in which Sarah was called to the diary room to talk to about an insensitive joke.

This came after the 27-year-old used the phrase ‘stop the gloats’ while referring to black housemate Hanah. The comment hinted at the slogan 'stop the boats' which is a well-known term made popular by Rishi Sunak's campaign against illegal migration.

Following Sarah's quip, Hanah and Segun chatted privately, with 24-year-old Hanah confiding: "I don't know how I feel about that one. I don't like that."

Sarah was consequently called into the diary room where she explained her reasoning behind the comment: "For me, it was just funny because it rhymed, and I don't really talk about politics that often because it's not something I'm interested in, but it was a joke.

"It had no racial connotations, I have no connotations about boats or immigration, or anything like that. It was just making funny of political slogans."

Despite the now-evicted housemate explaining her intentions, fans were left outraged and took to social media to slam her behaviour.

On X, formerly , one wrote: "Looking forward to tomorrow night when the crowd chant 'Get Sarah out! Get Sarah out.' Why was she defensive in the diary room rather than listen and apologise? It's not a joke when you hurt people and are casually racist."

Another added, referring to Sarah's comment and her treatment of another housemate, "Sarah [is] constantly targeting Lily, bullying her and subjecting her. The fact that she made a racist remark towards immigrants in the UK on live television is absolutely diabolical. Get Sarah out!"

A third responded: "I 100% agree I'm not a fan of Lily but what Sarah said tonight was disgusting [I’m] disappointed as I liked her from day one but she should have been removed for that comment!"

Sarah was evicted from the Big Brother House on Tuesday night (November 12).

Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and will be available to stream on ITVX.