MOUTHY rapper Lady Sovereign has plunged Big Brother into a new bullying row. The 24-year-old star, given the boot on Monday night, claims personal abuse is rife inside the house. But she says bosses are keeping a lid on it to make sure the final series of the show does not end in controversy. Some of the nastier scenes have even been cut out. Sov, real name Louise Harman, said she struggled to cope with the daily attacks and almost crumbled under the pressure. She claimed Dane Bowers, 30, Stephanie Beacham, 60, and Vinnie Jones, 45, were among the culprits. And she said: “I was bullied into making myself look absolutely horrible and that wasn’t the case. “Everyone was bullying me except Sisqo and Stephen. I would say the main bullies were Dane and Stephanie, without a doubt.” And she revealed that the bullying got so bad that she went into the Diary Room to discuss their behaviour with producers. She continued: “They could see I was quite outspoken and they used it to their advantage. “At one point I went to the Diary Room and I wouldn’t say I was close to tears, but I was very sensitive about the issue of bullying. “I said it was unacceptable that certain people were treating me this way. I expressed my feelings but, at the same time, I stood up to them. No-one was bothered, though.” Lesbian Sov was singled out by the older housemates, who claimed she was lazy. Stephanie even described her as a “vile creature who has not been brought up well”. The young star found herself under attack, often over food rations, as she refused to muck in and help with meals. Dane raged: “I want to drop-kick her. She’d better be careful because I can tear her down and I’ll do it in front of people.” But the full evidence of bullying inside the house was left on the cutting-room floor. And insiders say bosses may be trying to see off a potential crisis which could ruin the last series of the show. It is not the first time Celebrity Big Brother has been embroiled in a bullying row. Last year fans complained to Ofcom over American rapper Coolio’s verbal attacks on singer Michelle Heaton, 30. The programme was later cleared of any wrongdoing follow an official investigation. The most famous bullying backlash came when fans reacted angrily to Jo O’Meara and Jade Goody’s racial attacks on Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, 34. More than 50,000 people complained to Ofcom and Channel 4. But a show spokesman said bosses did not feel the latest bullying had got out of control and would step in if they thought it had. She added: “The welfare of housemates is of paramount importance and unacceptable behaviour, including bullying, is not tolerated in the BB house. “All housemates are monitored closely around the clock by a dedicated team and procedures are in place, including access to BB at any time, to ensure that housemates feel supported.” Sov, who polled 69.5% of the eviction vote, said she was glad to be out because the show was a major disappointment to her. She added: “I wanted to go in and experience it ’cos it was the last Big Brother but I was expecting a little bit more if I am honest. “There should have been more nitty-gritty tasks. It was a bit repetitive compared to other series and I got bored a good three or four days ago. I think they really could have pushed us more to the limit. “I didn’t find it that gruesome or anything. It was a bit dull. “It was supposed to be going out with a bang and something to remember but the only thing I remember is arguments about food and that happens on every Big Brother.”


Source: Daily Star online 20/01/10