Actress at centre of racism row wins reality show

She made world headlines over claims that she was the victim of racist attacks – now she’s won the tv reality show where the row took place. Indian actress Shilpa Shetty won 63 percent of the public vote on Celebrity Big Brother, only weeks after her housemates’ behaviour came under fire.

After her win, Shetty said: “I just want to, you know, forget things. I just want to address one thing: that things happen and people make mistakes, and we are all human beings and are all valuable. And I know one thing for sure: Jade really didn’t mean to be racist, and I can say that for sure.”

Jade Goody was one of the housemates villified in the press. The treatment of Shetty generated thousands of complaints and even prompted a sponsor of the show to pull out.

Fans gave their reactions: “I think she deserved it,” said an Indian man. “She handled it all in the right way, the whole drama, she handled it the best way she could, so she deserved to win, definitely.” “It made all of us Indians really really proud,” said another woman. “I actually know Jade,” said another viewer of the show. “I do know her. I do think it was bullying but definitely not racism.”

Some housemates criticised for their behaviour have since apologised, but commentators say their careers have already been damaged.

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