star Trish has issued an apology after for problematic posts
Fans of the reality show have criticised for using racist and homophobic language in posts written around 10 years ago.
Many feel especially disappointed after backing the housemate – who was shockingly evicted on Friday – to win the show and voting strategically against other housemates to get her to the final and scoop £100,000.
They also feel sad for fellow BB starwho was incredibly close to Trish and burst into tears as she left.
While Trish seemingly deleted her account on X (formerly Twitter) after the Scan**l, she has now returned to the internet with a statement.
She wrote on Sunday: ‘I’m aware that some very concerning old tweets of mine have resurfaced, and I would like to sincerely apologise for the harmful stereotypes I perpetuated and the pain I have caused to the marginalised communities and groups of people mentioned.
‘There are no excuses for the ignorance that I showed and I am deeply disappointed, embarrassed and ashamed that I once made such comments. I have come a very long way since by educating myself and being educated by others on the impact and harm these views cause.’
She continued: ‘It is part of the reason why I am so passionate about standing up for others and holding myself to a high standard of responsibility and accountability for my actions.
‘I appreciate the support you’ve all given me on the show and I understand you feel disappointed. I know apologies can seem convenient in these circumstances, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart: I am truly sorry. I hope it is possible for you to offer me grace and believe that people can change.’
Trish concluded: ‘I am committed to being the person I am now, the person you have known me as – someone who speaks up, stands for what they believe in and always open to growth and accountability.’
A spokesperson for Big Brother has now also told Metro.co.uk: ‘This weekend, we have been made aware of concerning historical tweets.
‘We are currently looking into why they were not identified by the independent supplier we engage to review the digital footprint of potential Housemates as part of our pre-checks.’
Some of the tweets in question – which were screenshotted before the account was deactivated – include: ‘There are Asian people everywhere but why do the ones in Ilford/EastHam/Upton Park and Barking smell like this kmt (kiss my teeth). Shame on you.’
That was posted on March 13, 2012.
Another of Trish’s tweets from October 20, 2012, read: ‘The smell of Pondu cooking is so strong, I hope I don’t leave my house smelling of it like Asian people smell of Curry at times.’
On June 12, 2014, Trish tweeted: ‘I follow this anti Islam page and I’m not gonna lie as funny as some posts are, I’m scared to retweet them.’
One tweet was actually sent on April 23, 2019, and it appeared to be a reply to someone.
Trish wrote: ‘Asian. Don’t mind them, it’s the useless ones who complain’.
In 2012, Trish also wrote tweets including this one posted on May 8: ‘Justin Bieber is TOO pretty, he looks like a lesbian.’
On 26 May 2012, she wrote: ‘Today a lesbian was making a move on me at work, I don’t know how I feel about that.’
BB fans have also discovered ableist tweets from Trish, with one from May 31, 2012, reading: ‘I start to feel funny when I watch disabled people for too long.’
‘Is the work P**i REALLY racist?’, she penned on June 6, 2012.
As tweets continued to surface, Big Brother viewers expressed their sadness and disgust.
‘I’m very disappointed with what is circulating today, as a huge fan of Trish,’ one person wrote. ‘These tweets were made 12 years ago but she was an adult, people change & people learn but putting it into perspective that I would have been in year seven at the time and wasn’t half as educated as I am now. I would never have even thought of tweeting anything like that, so I don’t know why a 24 year old would. Very disappointed and I hope it’s cleared up or addressed’.
‘I know these were a decade ago but reading those tweets make me feel so disappointed in Trish’, wrote another.
One added: ‘I’m so upset about tweets that have been found today by Trish. It is so shocking that #BBUK clearly didn’t do a background check on Trish before she was invited on the show’.
‘Sorry but the way Trish has behaved more derogatory in these tweets than anyone else has in that house is MAD. may have been 11 years ago but she was still an adult, older than Tom is now, for context’, said one individual.
‘Shocked, upset & disappointed to see the old tweets from Trish coming to the surface. To think many backed her due to her ability of standing up for what’s right, or so we thought’, a fan wrote.
Prior to entering the house, all this year’s cast had to hence why Trish’s posts have only just been discovered.
Since her eviction, Trish has been active online, thanking her followers for their support, but has not addressed the current Scan**l.
‘Going on big brother was actually one of the best decisions I’ve made. That experience has taught me soooo much,’ she wrote to her 18,000+ followers.
‘It made me more open to challenge myself than I already do. Just when you think you’ve reached your growth peak, you blossom even more.’
However, on Sunday (November 12), if people searched for her handle @IamBalusa on the social media platform, it stated: ‘This account does not exist.’ It’s uncertain whether she temporarily deleted her account herself.
When Trish appeared on Big Brother: Late & Live with hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best, in the house.
Trish – – walked out of the doors to roaring applause, banners with her name on, and ‘Trish for the win’ chants.
She later said: ‘‘There was a lot of microaggressions and Tom would be like, “I’m not trying to argue but…” and I’d be like, “Well, I’m not trying to argue either because I could win!” People saw me as aggressive when I was just existing.’
Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
