Big Brother housemates issue apology to Trish

Big Brother housemates have apologised to Trish Balusa over her treatment in recent episodes.

The revived reality series has received over 1,000 Ofcom complaints over the past week or so regarding a number of contestants’ behaviour towards Trish and Noky Simbani.

These include a row between Trish and Dylan Tennant, and concerns around Olivia Young, Tom Bryant, Jenkin Edwards and Chanelle Bowen’s behaviour towards Trish, as well as alleged bullying of Noky by Paul Blackburn.

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During a discussion on the show, Trish shared her feelings with Matty Simpson and Henry Southan, explaining: “I think I’ve been judged a lot for being loud and expressing my views. For reacting to things that have been said to me, even behind closed doors.

“Whereas I think other people have been able to express that, like when I think Dylan had tried to imply that I shouldn’t talk so much or else I’ll be seen as an angry Black woman, it seems like everybody OK’d it or was like: ‘Just ignore it’,” Trish continued.

“But I can’t keep ignoring it – just because it’s passive doesn’t mean it’s not hurtful. And just because I’m strong, doesn’t mean that I need to always keep going through it, and that’s what I mean in terms of the biases I face. It’s microaggression, but it’s very real to me.”

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In response, Matty shared an apology, saying: “I want to say I’m completely sorry for that. If I’m going to end up hurting someone else because of my cowardice, that’s not OK. So I just want to say I’m really sorry, Trish.”

Henry added: “I think sometimes I’m guilty of seeing you as this strong woman who is all good, and I shouldn’t, because I know you have your struggles too.”

Speaking further, Trish said: “There used to be a time when being called ‘a strong woman’ was such a big compliment, but I think in adulthood, as a Black woman, you start to realise that often it means you can be left to it, you’re quite good, people assume you’re good.

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“I need to kind of remember that as well, that I don’t always have to be strong. What hurts is when people don’t want to challenge their own thoughts and really assess why they’re doing it. They expect me to understand that that’s just the way things are. I’m not OK with that.”

Matty and Henry then both said “sorry”, as Trish thanked them.

Olivia also shared an apology to Trish during a one-on-one chat, saying: “I do genuinely feel awful for the week that you have had the past week, and I don’t want you to think that I’ve dehumanised you at all.”

ITV

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“If I’m honest I feel like everybody has dehumanised me,” Trish admitted. “When on Friday, when all of you were on that table and I was by myself, I didn’t even have my friends close to me. And that was also telling for me.”

Olivia then added: “I feel that maybe for the past week I’ve let other people’s opinions guide my judgement, and I do feel bad for that.”

Big Brother airs Sundays to Fridays at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Each episode is followed by Big Brother Late & Live at 10pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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