Big Brother 'coercive and controlling' behaviour row is now one of the most complained about reality TV moments EVER as ITV show receives 7,138 Ofcom complaints in one day

Big Brother has received more than 7,000 Ofcom complaints after Omar was accused of being 'coercive and controlling' towards fellow housemate Rhianna. 

The contestant has denied any wrongdoing but viewers have called for him to be removed from the house after he was made safe from this week's eviction.

Omar and Rihanna have known each other for six weeks after meeting in the house and quickly claimed to be in love. 

However, Omar's behaviour towards his girlfriend has caused an outcry from the public and it has already become one of the most complained about reality TV moments ever.

There are mounting calls for ITV to intervene and boot him off the show and charity Women's Aid have issued a statement calling his behaviour 'worrying'.

In just one day, Big Brother received 7,138 Ofcom complaints relating to Omar’s treatment of Rhianna, making it one of the top ten most complained about moments.

It is also the third highest number of complaints for a single incident in Big Brother history, following Jade Goody's racism row and Roxanne Pallett's punch-gate.

During Tuesday night's episode, it was revealed that Catrin, Harry, Sam and Twinks were the final four housemates on the podium and will face this Friday's live eviction.

The episode saw him snapping at Rhianna in front of the rest of the house ahead of nominations, telling them 'she's f**ked me off today!'

He said: 'I haven't made her cry, so don't walk around saying I've made you cry, then I have housemates come up to me saying I'm horrible.

'She's miserable anyway, she's immature. Stop being a weirdo, I did not make you cry!'

Rhianna said: 'You did make me cry!'

To which Omar replied: 'Was I abusive? Did I scream at you? Did I hit you? So don't lie!

'Even when you're wrong you convince yourself you're right! Zero accountability – maximum immaturity!'

The public slammed the housemates for not voting for Omar, as they took to X to share their thoughts.

They fumed: 'Omar with the AUDACITY to call Rhianna immature when he acts like that and sulks all day like a petulant childdddd,'

'I have NEVER been so p*ssed off with nominations Put me off Yas. Don't want her to win anymore and Rhianna is a SNAKE Oh and get Omar, Phillip and Frankie out VILE.. and yes there is a hierarchy,'

'Another eviction to not put omar up ugh bb needs to tell rhianna and omar that sooner or later they are both going have to vote for each other.'

Omar's behaviour has even been branded 'coercive and abusive' by Women's Aid.

Veronica Oakeshott, Head of External Affairs said: 'The nature of abuse means that it often begins with 'red flag' coercive and controlling behaviours like isolating you from friends or repeatedly putting you down, before escalating into other forms of abuse. 

'Coercive control creates invisible chains and a sense of fear that impacts every element of a survivor's life.

'It's worrying to see behaviours like this being given a platform in popular media like Big Brother. We've been contacted by many viewers who have expressed concern.

'Not only does Big Brother risk minimising survivors' experiences, it also risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment. 

'We must do better to call out and reject abuse as soon as we see it, so women and children can learn the signs and themselves feel confident in speaking up and seeking safety.

'Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe. 

'The women in these programmes are real people and need real support.

'We continue to urge television companies such as ITV to engage with experts like Women's Aid to understand the nature of abuse and how they can do better to protect contestants. We would welcome a discussion with the Big Brother team.'

A Big Brother spokesman said: 'All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother's expectations for appropriate behaviour and language. 

'Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately. 

'Welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production, with a dedicated welfare team available to support Housemates before, during and after their time in the House.'

Viewers have seen Rhianna and Omar's relationship play out throughout this series, but in the past couple of days, she began to question his behaviour towards her.

She decided to end their relationship, leading Omar to say: 'You've really f***ed me off by saying what you said.'

When she replied: 'I don't want to do this tonight,' Omar hit back: 'You don't want to do it tonight but I can't sleep on it. I am not a loser!' 

Later, Rhianna confided in Yasmin about how confused she was by her treatment.

'I don't know what's wrong with Omar, but it's literally making me feel like I've constantly been doing something wrong.

'If he's just in a mood or something, fine. But like it's just making me feel like I'm going crazy,' she said.

Omar then approached Rhianna, and whispered: 'Do me a favour, I know you're upset but don't talk about me.'

Later, the pair had another exchange in the storeroom which left Rhianna in tears, with Omar telling her to 'not cry', and adding: 'Look at me, don't look away from me.'

As things got heated between them, Big Brother called for Rhianna to go to the Diary Room to check on her wellbeing.

Fans on X have echoed calls for Omar to be removed from the show, writing: 'Just been catching up on last night's Big Brother and it's been such an uncomfortable watch. My heart breaks for Rhi. Omar needs removing he is revolting.

'Also Twinks and Cat need to remember Rhi is very vulnerable in this situation and needs to give her grace, not mock her;'

'I can understand ppl dont want abuse as a word to be thrown around, but it was very inappropriate and disrespectful for Omar to lean into Rhianna's ear, demand her not to talk about him in a whisper.

'That specific behaviour is very common among abusers if he's not careful;' 

'Omar needs a warning for his emotionally abusive behaviour. That is NOT okay;'

'If Big Brother doesn't remove Omar from the house, I'm not watching anymore his behaviour is disgusting; imagine what ITV has not shown if this is what is put on TV;'

'For all the young people seeing Omar's behaviour and thinking it's okay… you should know that this is a brilliant display of narcissistic and abusive behaviour so I don't recommend following in his steps.'

Influencer and former Late and Live star Dean McCullough agreed, saying on TikTok: 'Those scenes that we had to watch tonight and the behaviour that Rhianna had to endure is completely unacceptable,' and called Omar's treatment of her 'abusive and toxic'.