British viewers will be able to choose between Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and her main allegedly racist critic on a disputed television show on Friday, when one will be thrown out, broadcasters said on Thursday.
LONDON: British viewers will be able to choose between Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and her main allegedly racist critic on a disputed television show on Friday, when one will be thrown out, broadcasters said on Thursday.
Shetty, 31, and Londoner Jade Goody, 25, have been nominated for eviction from the Big Brother house, at the centre of a racism row which has escalated into a diplomatic spat this week, Channel Four confirmed.
"The British public have the opportunity to cut through the claim and counterclaim," said Channel Four chief Andy Duncan, defending the broadcaster's role in the controversy triggered by the show.
The British version of Celebrity Big Brother, in which housemates are evicted one by one until the last remaining is the winner, has triggered an international storm this week due to allegedly racist remarks against Shetty.
Shetty said for the first time late on Wednesday that she considered herself the victim of racism. But the Channel Four chief said Thursday that she had said she did not feel that was the case.
British bookmakers were quoting unusually short odds on Goody's departure -- Ladbrokes make her 1/12 favourite to be evicted, while William Hill have her at 1/5.
"Punters seem keen to show that any comments made in the house aren't indicative of the British public," said Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg.
William Hill said they had stopped accepting bets on Goody to win the show overall.
"As far as we are concerned, Jade does not deserve to win and we will not be accepting any bets on her.
"If she wins, we will be paying out on the contestant who comes second," said spokesman Rupert Adams.
Shetty is now 10/11 favourite to win, according to Ladbrokes, who took a record figure in excess of 100,000 pounds (152,000 euros, $196,000) backing her in one hour on Thursday morning.
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