Bangladeshi-born ex-FA secretary Faria Alam, who became famous after spilling secrets of her affair with England Coach Sven Goran Eriksson, claimed that there would never be a Black or Asian winner of 'Big Brother', - Channel 4's hugely successful reality TV show. Alam was promptly evicted by a public vote the following day (18 January 2006).

In a conversation with Traci Bingham, the African-American 'Baywatch' actress, said "Do you think they'll ever let a black or Asian girl or guy win this thing? Are you out of your tree? Never." She went on to add "This country? Oh please! Don't even get me going on that. They would never, they'd be up in f***ing arms."

But fellow housemate, Respect MP George Galloway insisted the claim was "preposterous". He stormed: "The idea that people who watch this show are bigots is preposterous." Most of the people who've won have been from minorities of one kind or another."

Later, in an interview with the show's presenter Davina McCall, Alam retracted much of her allegation, saying "I think it's a fact that a black or Asian person hasn't won. But I think it was a case of Chinese whispers. It was totally blown out of proportion. Things were said. But I think I was misinterpreted. If you look back - we got through it. You're under a lot of strain in the House. The food rationing for instance - sometimes I missed meals but you don't see that. Tensions mount in that situation. The pressure causes aggravation and pain. And you say things you don't mean."

Despite criticism of the show - last year Davina MaCall was cleared of racial discrimination by media watchdog Ofcom over her hostile interview with black contestant Makosi - recent research shows that it has a wide following with one in ten students willing to give up education for 'Big Brother' fame.

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