Big Brother's Omar El Mayer Addressed in Diary Room After 7,138 Ofcom Complaints

Ofcom logged 7,138 complaints about a Monday episode of Big Brother showing a heated exchange between housemates Omar El Mayer and Rhianna Collins. Women's Aid and Refuge both allege the 21-year-old's conduct toward Collins is concerning and argue ITV should do more to protect contestants. During Wednesday's episode, El Mayer was summoned to the Diary Room, where Big Brother told him his language and behaviour on more than one occasion could cause offence to housemates or viewers and that he appeared to dismiss fellow housemates' feelings. He said he fully understood the allegations but denied dismissing Collins's feelings, insisting he had done nothing but look out for her and had entered with no bad intentions or malice. Collins had earlier ended the relationship in the Diary Room, saying the pair had not been good over recent days and that she sometimes disliked how he spoke to her. ITV said welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout production, that housemates get respect and inclusion training plus an extensive briefing, are monitored around the clock, and have access to a welfare team. Ofcom is assessing the complaints and has not decided whether to investigate.