October 19, 2023

British 'Big Brother' Cast Member Drops Homophobic Slur

Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.

A contestant on the British version of "Big Brother" let loose with a homophobic slur that, while edited out of the broadcast episode, went out on the show's live feed and prompted producers to step in, UK newspaper the Independent reported.

Kerry, a "[National Health Service] worker from Essex was the final contestant to enter the house on its premiere episode earlier this month (Sunday 8 October)," the newspaper noted. It only took a week for Kerry to utter the slur, which viewers of the live feed heard on Oct. 15.

The Mirror recounted that "viewers saw Kerry kick up a fuss while screaming and crying during the shopping task before being rewarded a luxury night's sleep while her housemates camped outside."

The Mirror went on to explain what happened next: "As Kerry, Paul, Olivia and Jenkin settled down for the night at the 'VIP camping' spot, both Olivia and Jenkin decided to play a prank on her."

"The pair hid her comfy mattress out of sight and told her that viewers had been voting for the housemate who should lose their mattress. Kerry was visibly annoyed by this and demanded that she should be allowed to speak to Big Brother about the situation."

"Sharing her anger, she said: 'Well, this is gay,' before both Jenkin and Olivia came clean about the situation."

"Kerry's comments which happened between 11pm on October 15 through til 2am on October 16 didn't go down well with viewers who had tuned in for the late-night livestream," the account continued. "Instantly enraged, they took to Reddit to share their anger."

Among viewer reactions:

  • "'Well this is gay', another slip of the mask."
  • "I genuinely haven't heard someone use that expression in about 10 years. Shockingly awful and outdated. Actually even surprised Kerry would say it on TV."
  • "Get her off the show. Not acceptable language to be used on TV regardless of how she meant it."
  • "While it may seem harmless to many, its casual use is damaging, particularly with so many kids saying it these days."
  • "A straight person has no right to use a gay slur. Not under any circumstances."
  • "There is nothing wrong with the word gay itself but the problem is the context in which Kerry used it."

    Others on social media responded to viewer outrage by dismissing those who were offended by the slur as "snowflakes" who were "too easily offended these days." One X user declared, "if saying ' well this is gay ' offends you. then YOU are the problem."

    A spokesperson for the reality show told the Independent that producers stepped in to deal with the situation. "Kerry was brought to the diary room to discuss her inappropriate use of language," the spokesperson said.

    "'Big Brother' reminded Kerry of her respect and inclusion training prior to entering the House and the consequences of any further use of offensive language."

    "Kerry understood and apologized for any offense caused."

    by Kilian Melloy , EDGE Staff Reporter

    Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.

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