Celebrity Big Brother contestants Saira Khan and James Whale clashed after the Loose Women panellist asked him if he was racist – and the row left viewers split about who behaved the best.
Saira said she had researched James before entering the house and had seen the claims online.
The broadcaster and talk show host, 65, responded: “I’ve never heard so much rubbish in my entire life.”
James Whale in the Big Brother house (Channel 5)
He added: “I don’t think I am known for that. Am I known for that? I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’ve been one of the judges of the British curry awards for 10 years.”
Not everyone was impressed by that line of argument.
James now trying to prove he isn't racist by listing his favourite Indian curries… #cbb
— shane telford. (@MrShaneTelford) July 29, 2016
I like chicken jalfrezi?!?!?! #cbb
— HayleyA (@hayleya18) July 29, 2016
James reassures Saira. "I'm not racist! Some of my best friends are curries!" #cbb
— Big Brother insiders (@fromtheBBhouse) July 29, 2016
Surely James Whale isn't implying that racists don't eat curry????? #CBB
— Priscilla Etienne (@Funeography) July 29, 2016
As the contestants settled in for their first evening in the house, James reignited the subject, telling other housemates that Saira thought he was a racist.
She hit back: “No I did not think that. I did not say that. OK excuse me sir … I didn’t say that, so don’t twist it.”
Celebrity Big Brother’s Saira Khan (Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images)
James laughed off the remark and explained he had a “strange sense of humour”, saying: “I’m winding you up.”
But Saira said: “If that’s a wind up, some people could take that seriously.”
James Whale is seen entering the Celebrity Big Brother house (Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images)
She added: “I said ‘When you type your name, it’s tagged with you, and why?’ And you said, ‘It’s unfair,’ so I said, ‘OK’.
“You say that and people go, ‘Oh my goodness why’s she said that?’ All of a sudden you’ve created a perception.”
She accepted his apology, but warned: “Don’t wind me up. Because they’re quite serious allegations.”
Many viewers were unimpressed by Saira.
James whale a racist ?? She needs to get a life. She's doing my head in already #CBBSaira #CBB pic.twitter.com/7hkYIEJyJK
— Taz Malik (@Tariqjnr) July 29, 2016
Saira seems like she really wants James to be racist #CBB
— Doug Mckenzie (@Dougzzta) July 29, 2016
Someone needs to tell Saira to stop 'interviewing people'. She can't have a convo without trying to turn it into a debate #BBUK #CBB
— InLivingColour (@TribeBeauty) July 29, 2016
But there was also a lot of love for her firm stance and reaction to the controversy.
Wow am I the only one loving Saira? Honest, opinionated, fiery and passionate. Perfect #CBB housemate.
— Curtis Lee (@Curtis_Coburn15) July 29, 2016
@IamSairaKhan love how Saira can stand her ground #CBB
— Rachel Fox ♡ (@MCEK96) July 29, 2016
Saira is trying to be an adult in managing the ridiculous person that is James Whale! #cbb #CBBSaira
— Benjamin (@BenjaBitch) July 29, 2016
But blimey – with a race row on the first day, what does this mean for the REST of the series?
@bbuk #cbb the #racism argument on the 1st night – well this series is gonna be a good one lol
— Dee Kelly (@therealdeekelly) July 29, 2016
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