Celebrity Big Brother found itself engulfed in a race row after Trisha Goddard accused fellow housemate Michael Fabricant of ‘Islamaphobia’ during Friday’s show.

The TV host, 67, was quick to slam the former Tory PM, 47, after he was made to give a political speech as part of the show’s first shopping task.

When Chesney Hawkes, 53, asked his opinion on the tense topic of immigration Michael shared insight into his own background which was of ‘Jewish decent’.

He said:  ‘Jewish people when they usually come to this country believe, do in Rome as the Roman’s do.’

‘Do not come to this country if your aim is to change everybody to your way of thinking.’

Trisha exclaimed: ‘Hang on! Are you slipping into Islamophobia? Because you’re going to have trouble. It’s getting dangerous.’

Celebrity Big Brother found itself engulfed in a race row after Trisha Goddard accused fellow housemate Michael Fabricant of ‘Islamaphobia’ during Friday’s show

The TV host, 67, was quick to slam the former Tory PM, 47, after he was made to give a political speech as part of the show’s first shopping task

However Michael hit back saying: ‘I’m trying to explain this country has benefited from wave upon wave of immigration’.

The tense exchange left viewers divided while some agreed with Trisha, others were quick to call her out and branded her words ‘uncalled for’.

Taking to X they wrote: ‘Trisha wasn’t wrong for that it’s very obvious he was using Islamaphobic talking points’: ‘Michael was absolutely alluding to Islam. Glad Trisha clocked him’: ‘I normally respect Trisha but there was no need for the Islam comment. It wasn’t needed, he mentioned immigrants in general not one specific group of people. Over the top’: 

‘What was Trisha saying there? He wasn’t talking about Islam. First time I’ve not liked her this season’.

‘The very fact that Trisha assumed Michael was talking about Islam when he said you should assimilate unto your host country shows her own prejudice, not his’: ‘100% agree he never mention Islam. Don’t understand how Trisha jumped to that conclusion’: ‘F****** Hell Trisha …. It wasn’t even remotely Islamophobic’.

Later in the show viewers were left fuming after Michael became the first star of the series to be evicted from the house.

The politician had been forced to face the public vote alongside Mickey Rourke, 72, and Jack P. Shepherd, 37, after receiving the most nominations from fellow housemates.

After the result was announced the politician said his farewells before exiting along with his beloved teddy bear to a mix of boos and cheers and was met by hosts AJ Odudu, 37, and Will Best, 40.

When Chesney Hawkes, 53, asked his opinion on the tense topic of immigration Michael said: ‘Do not come to this country if your aim is to change everybody to your way of thinking’

Trisha exclaimed: ‘Hang on! Are you slipping into Islamophobia? Because you’re going to have trouble. It’s getting dangerous’

The tense exchange left viewers divided while some agreed with Trisha, others were quick to call her out and branded her words ‘uncalled for’

However those watching slammed the result, branding the controversial Mickey a ‘homophobe’ after he left lesbian dancer JoJo, 21, in tears after he insinuated he would be able to ‘make her straight’ during their time in the house and branded her a ‘f*g’. 

They also concluded Corrie actor Jack was ‘boring’ and said Michael had been evicted way too soon from the house. 

Taking to X fans fumed: ‘So they kept a homophone… nice great’: ‘NOOO NOT MICHAEL’:  ‘I have never sided with a tory in my life but… if we’re talking purely about providing entertainment  – it should have been Jack that was evicted’: ‘Would rather a Tory than a homophobic in the house’.

‘Aww poor Michael sad to see him go actually’: ‘I guess being a Tory is worse than being homophobic’: ‘Michael was hilarious, now Jack will continue to never speak and Mickey will continue to insult everyone’.

Earlier in the show fans have hit out at Mickey after his blunt comment left EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer in tears.

The housemates were gathered around the kitchen table enjoying lunch prepared by the actress, 52, when the actor criticised her cooking.

Later in the show viewers were left fuming after Michael became the first star of the series to be evicted from the house 

He had been forced to face the public vote alongside Mickey Rourke (L)  and Jack P. Shepherd (R) after receiving the most nominations from fellow housemates.

However those watching slammed the result, branding the controversial Mickey a ‘homophobe’ and claiming Corrie star Jack was ‘boring’

He swiped: ‘What do you know, you can’t cook.’

While she initially laughed it off, Patsy soon headed to the diary room to let off some steam to Big Brother.

‘Sorry,’ she said before breaking down into tears. ‘I tried to talk that one out but it didn’t really work. I feel like I let myself down there and I don’t want my reactions to be like that.

‘I always want my kids to always stand up for themselves. Maybe it was just a joke – maybe I need to look at it like that.’ 

‘I need to try to rise above it. It doesn’t mean I have to like him,’ she added.

Fans have taken to X, formerly Twitter, and slammed Mickey for his harsh words. 

They said: ‘Mickey picking on yet another woman, patsy is an icon, he needs booted out #CBBUK; ‘How dare Mickey Rourke make our British Institution and icon Patsy Palmer cry; ‘Feel sorry for Patsy criticising someone’s cooking that you barely know is cruel. #CBBUK; ‘Mickey did not need to make a horrible comment about Patsy’s cooking infront of everyone! #CBBUK;

‘How dare you hurt our Patsy Mickey. Never seen him lift a finger to cook. #CBB #CBBUK; ‘This isn’t fair on patsy now. mickey needs speaking to about this now, it’s borderline bullying #CBBUK; ‘OH NO NOT OUR PATSY UPSET #cbb #cbbuk; ‘Not Mickey making Patsy cry now’ ‘He’s made Patsy cry! Get him out.’

CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2025: MEET THE LINEUP!

MICKEY ROURKE 

AGE: 72

FAMOUS FOR: The actor and former pro boxer is one of the show’s biggest ever signings and after public feuds with Robert De Niro, two marriages and a string of high profile relationships, he will be bringing plenty of drama.

DALEY THOMPSON

AGE: 66

FAMOUS FOR: The double Olympic gold-medallist is considered one of Britain’s greatest athletes. He broke the decathlon world record four times.

PATSY PALMER

AGE: 52

FAMOUS FOR: It’s an open secret that Patsy is leaving EastEnders, with the actress enjoying a wild leaving party this month. The Bianca Jackson star posted a snap of her character on Instagram with the caption: ‘Bye bye B, always grateful to see her again.’

DONNA PRESTON

AGE: 38

FAMOUS FOR: While Donna has featured in several TV shows and movies, the comedy star is known for hosting Apocalypse and for the role of a circus Compere in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. She plays Den in Coronation Street, has featured in Pants On Fire in 2019 and even wrote and co-produced BBC Three’s Comedy Threesomes.

CHESNEY HAWKES

AGE: 53

FAMOUS FOR: The singer topped the charts for five weeks in 1991 with his hit The One And Only, before making a string of acting and TV appearances. His arrival on CBB has been described by a TV source as ‘perfect timing’, as he’s just released a comeback album

ANGELLICA BELL

AGE: 49

FAMOUS FOR: The TV presenter is said to have landed a staggering five-figure deal to appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Fans will be keen to see if the CBBC legend spills all on her untimely exit from The Martin Lewis Show – which left fans baffled back in 2023. Angellica currently co-presents Hits Radio while Fleur East is on maternity leave.

 

DANNY BEARD 

AGE: 32

FAMOUS FOR: The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner – whose real name is Daniel Curtis – has signed up as a late entry. Danny previously made headlines after swearing on Big Brother’s Late & Live last March whilst doing an impression of housemate Louis Walsh. The incident saw the guest say the word ‘c***’ before immediately apologising after being informed they weren’t allowed to say that on the show.

CHRIS HUGHES

 AGE: 32

FAMOUS FOR: After shooting to fame on Love Island in 2017, Chris went on to become a sports presenter and regularly hosts the horse racing coverage on ITV.

JOJO SIWA

AGE: 21

FAMOUS FOR: The American singer, who shot to stardom on reality show Dance Moms, is expected to draw a big American audience. The hitmaker has made a name for herself in the U.S. pop charts and is known for her outlandish looks and being a vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community.

 

TRISHA GODDARD

AGE: 67

FAMOUS FOR: The talk show host regularly presented on ITV from 1998 to 2004 and then shifted to Channel 5 from 2004 to 2010. Trisha has been suffering horrible side effects of her chemotherapy – but has bravely battled on.

JACK P. SHEPHERD

AGE: 37

FAMOUS FOR: The actor has played David Platt in Corrie since 2000 and is following in his pal Colson Smith’s footsteps by taking part in the popular reality show. He has won a string of awards for the role including Best Actor at the British Soap Awards.

ELLA RAE WISE 

AGE: 24

FAMOUS FOR: Producers have been keen to land the TV personality, who previously dated Pete Wicks and has had an on-off romance with Dan Edgar. Bosses are hoping the TOWIE star might reveal all about some of her other famous exes.

MICHAEL FABRICANT 

AGE: 74

FAMOUS FOR: The former Conservative politician is understood to have signed a lucrative six-figure deal to take part after political stars were banned from the broadcaster’s other reality show, I’m A Celeb. He served as MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire from 1992 until his defeat in 2024 as well as vice-chairman of the party under David Cameron. But he is perhaps best known for his blond mop for which he has been widely ridiculed but previously denied is a wig.