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After an outpouring of fan backlash Omar was called into the diary room on Big Brother, where he was warned about his behaviour.
The 21-year-old has been dating fellow co-star Rhianna, also 21, in the house, but viewers have raised their worries over his treatment of her, including warning her to ‘not talk about me’ and telling her ‘don’t cry’.
The audience has accused him of abusive behaviour and, after the pair had a series of intense conversations on the ITV show the other day, Ofcom received almost 7,000 complaints, several addressing Omar’s attitude,
Women’s Aid also released a statement sharing its concerns over ITV providing a platform for Omar’s ‘worrying’ behaviour and that it ‘risked minimising survivors’ experiences’.
Meanwhile, the broadcaster reiterated that all contestants are provided with ‘respect and inclusion training’ and an extensive briefing ahead of entering the house. ‘Welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production,’ the statement added.
In the latest episode, Omar was finally brought into the diary room to be reprimanded, but fans are still none too pleased with him.
‘Omar, Big Brother needs to speak to you about some of your language and behaviour in the house,’ said Big Brother, once he was seated.
They continued: ‘Big Brother wants to bring to your attention that at times it appears that you are dismissing your fellow housemates feelings and experiences and not acknowledging the impact such behaviour could have on your fellow housemates and the viewing public.
‘Some of your language used on more than occasion and the behaviour you’ve exhibited could cause offense to your fellow housemates or the viewing public.’
The reality star didn’t seem convinced, replying: ‘Nah I fully understand, I’ve just never dismissed a housemates feelings in all honesty.
‘If I felt like a housemate was feeling something towards me which was incorrect then I would say that’s incorrect, it’s not necessarily dismissive.
‘I didn’t tell them they don’t deserve a feeling and they don’t deserve to feel like that. Let’s just be honest here we’re not talking about housemates we’re talking about my conversations with Rhianna.’
He then claimed he had ‘done nothing but look out for her’ and ‘try to accommodate her and reassure her and be there for her and care for her’.
He argued that he hadn’t walked int here with ‘any bad intentions’ or ‘malice’ nor did he try to be ‘malicious’ towards anyone.
‘Like I said I’ve acknowledged my housemates feelings,’ he concluded.
Fans made their feelings about his defense crystal clear.
‘BB: You’ve been dismissing your Housemate’s feelings. Omar: immediately dismisses the issue,’ BB_Superfan wrote.
‘”I completely understand” and “I never dismissed a houseguest’s feelings” in the same breath,’ Iva pointed out.
‘This is no where NEAR what needs to be said. This is an abysmal “warning”,’ Tom reflected.
‘Big Brother can’t be serious… IS THAT IT ??? he’s literally backchatting and defending himself when they’re calling him out and they’ve not even given him a formal warning either,’ Liv complained.
The calls for his removal have also continued.
Big Brother airs on ITV2 at 9pm Sunday through to Thursday.
Metro has reached out to ITV for comment.