Everything, Everything

Nine days into the current series of Big Brother contestant Emily was removed from the house in the early hours of the morning after using unacceptable language. At the time Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team at Channel 4, said "such behaviour won't be tolerated", but on last Sunday's episode of the show, Laura called Lian a "poof".

A spokeswoman said: "During a chat in the bedroom Laura was tickling Liam's feet as he tried not to laugh. When he did laugh, Laura called him "you poof" in an affectionate and flirting way. The words were not said in anger nor were they intended to be derogatory or demeaning. Neither Liam, nor any other housemate, took offence to this term. The use of the word was carefully considered in the context in which it was said and consideration given to the fact that no offence was intended or caused to any other housemate," the spokeswoman said. However we understand how this word could cause offence to some viewers and we have taken on board these concerns. All housemates are and will be continually monitored regarding any language or behaviour that Big Brother deems unacceptable."

The statement also said that Big Brother "absolutely does not regard homophobia as any less serious than racism".