‘Big Brother’ fans are not happy with housemate Tom Barber, after homophobic tweets he posted before entering the house were unearthed.
Tom almost missed out on a place in this year’s series entirely, but during the launch show earlier this week, he won the People’s Housemate public vote, and was therefore able not just to enter the house, but enjoy special privileges, including contact with the outside world.
However, despite his initial popularity with ‘BB’ fans, he’s now come under fire over a string of comments he made on social media over the course of several years, which include homophobic slurs.
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Tom in the Diary Room
Channel 5
In the most recent, posted in February 2016, he told a friend: “Twat, u probs get loved up again now before we go you f****t.”
Two years earlier, he’d used the same slur while tweeting to a different friend.
‘Big Brother’ continues tonight (8 June), at 10pm on Channel 5.
'Big Brother' 2017: Here's Where You've Seen The Housemates Before
Chanelle McCleary(01 of09)
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Chanelle is one of three contestants to have previously starred on ‘Ex On The Beach’, starring in the most recent series, after which she was forced to deny accusations of racism from fellow star Zahida Allen.
Her reality TV appearances don’t stop there, though. as she’s previously looked for love on ‘Take Me Out’, ‘Dinner Date’ and the short-lived ‘Dating In The Dark’.
As well as reality TV, Chanelle has worked as a glamour model, appearing in spreads for Zoo magazine. (credit:MTV)
Rebecca Jane(02 of09)
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Rebecca is particularly proud of her honey-trapping business, even penning a book about the venture, ‘The Real Lady Detective Agency’.
In the past, she’s appeared on ‘This Morning’ and ‘Loose Women’ to debate topics including whether it’s unprofessional for women not to wear make-up to work, whether returning to work after giving birth makes women better mothers and, most recently, whether “picking your nose and eating it” is good for you.
Ellie reportedly turned down ‘Love Island’ to appear on ‘Big Brother’, after catching producers’ eyes on ‘The Ibiza Weekender’.
According to The Sun, she was initially supposed to enter the house with her ‘Ibiza Weekender’ co-star Hayley, but seized the opportunity to go it alone when offered by ‘BB’ bosses, leading to a fall-out between the two. (credit:ITV)
Arthur Fulford(04 of09)
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As a child, Arthur starred alongside his wealthy family in ‘The F**ing Fulfords’ and ‘Life Is Toff’ on BBC Three.
We’ll be honest, we hadn’t heard of either of them either, though we’re sure they were thoroughly entertaining. (credit:Adrian Sherratt/REX/Shutterstock)
Kieran Lee(05 of09)
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It won’t exactly be shock of the century to learn that Kieran is a former ‘Ex On The Beach’ star, who reckons the ‘BB’ women will be “fighting over him” this year.
He’s also played for football clubs including Barnoldswick Town FC and Clitheroe. (credit:MTV)
Lotan Carter(06 of09)
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A brief appearance on ‘Pineapple Dance Studios’ with his uncle Louie Spence isn’t Lotan’s only claim to fame, he’s also a member of stripping dance troupe, The Dreamboys. (credit:Instagram/Dreamboys)
Hannah Agboola(07 of09)
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If you follow the beauty pageant circuit you just might have encountered Hannah before, as she’s the current reigning Miss Nigeria UK. (credit:Instagram/hannahagboola)
Kayleigh Morris(08 of09)
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You guessed it! Kayleigh was once a cast member on the fifth series of ‘Ex On The Beach’, and has previously dated ‘CBB’ winner Stephen Bear and footballer Ashley Cain. (credit:MTV)