Big Brother has come under fire from the charity Women's Aid for 'presenting abuse as a form of entertainment', after viewers called for housemate Omar to be axed from the show following a 'scary' row with his girlfriend Rhianna.
Uncomfortable scenes that were aired on Monday saw Rhianna and Omar involved in another spat where she decided their relationship was over.
Rhianna told Omar she was ending things after admitting she didn't like the way he spoke to her, but things turned tense between them when he warned her to 'stop talking about him' to the other housemates.
The pair were involved in a clash in the store room which resulted in Big Brother intervening and calling a tearful Rhianna to the Diary Room, with even several of the housemates noting their relationship was 'unhealthy.'
Omar and Rhianna appeared to have patched things up by the end of the night, but viewers took to X to claim he should be removed from the show.
Women's Aid have now also condemned Omar's behaviour in a statement shared with Daily Mail, and said they had also been contacted by viewers expressing their concern.
Big Brother has come under fire from the charity Women's Aid, after viewers called for housemate Omar to be axed from the show following a 'scary' row with his girlfriend Rhianna
Uncomfortable scenes that were aired on Monday saw Rhianna and Omar involved in another spat where she decided their relationship was over
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.'
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for ITV for comment.
Rhianna told Omar she was ending things after admitting she didn't like the way he spoke to her, but things turned tense between them when he warned her to 'stop talking about him'
Omar and Rhianna appeared to have patched things up by the end of the night, but viewers took to X to claim he should be removed from the show
Fans on X have echoed calls for Omar to be removed from the show
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 well-being.
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.'