Pete Bennetts Mum Speaks Out Over Exploitation Claims
After weeks of people speculating that Tourettes Syndrome sufferer Pete Bennett has been exploited by Big Brother producers, Pete’s mum has spoken out in his defence.
Pete’s mum, Anne Stephenson, 46 said that Pete first developed the symdrome at the age of 14, and the bullying started immediately,
She told First magazine: “The paediatrician looked at him in horror. He was being bullied and someone had stuck a rubber up his nose.
“He was swearing constantly and pounding his chest with his fist. Suddenly I burst into tears. I tried to hold his hand and said ‘My little Pete, what’s wrong?’ It was as though he had been possessed.
“He was crying ‘Mum, what’s happening to me. I can’t stop it.’ It was awful.”
She said: “My blood went cold. I asked what it was and how long it would last. The doctor said ‘for the rest of his life’. I felt as though Pete had been killed. One minute he was a normal boy - the next his whole life had changed.”
Ms Stephenson, who was in the process of breaking up from Pete’s stepfather, said: “One day 400 children had been laughing and jeering at him. He has been through so much.
“One day we were out shopping and Pete had a huge spasm. He was thrashing about on the floor, punching himself and a huge crowd gathered round. They were saying he should be locked up.”
She said: “I’m angry when people say Pete shouldn’t be on the show - that it is in someway exploitative. It’s ridiculous. Do we want people with Tourette’s to be accepted or marginalised?”
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June 17th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
i fink thatz soo deep n who ever sayz dat pete should not b in the show i say shut ur mouth pete is rely cute n sweet n im hopin he winz only PETE GO PETE GO PETE!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 17th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
That is ridiculous Pete is obviously the best character in that house, the stupid do-gooders that are saying that arent helping him there just trying to hide him, well bugger that! why would you want to hide some one as genuine as Pete. he had the bottle to go in there and show the world the way he really is.
Pete to win!
June 17th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
I’m all in support for Pete being on the show. He is a great lad and his condition should be accepted. The housemates do not even flinch now and putting Pete on the show will hopefully make more people aware of his condition. Pete should win for his personality and courage!!! Go Pete.
June 17th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
i think petes great the show wouldnt b the same without him
July 16th, 2006 at 2:13 am
Oh no! Poor Pete
I hate people and their instant judgements! Shame on you! Pete is evidence of how lovely some people are 
July 26th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Perfect Pete
Is the most harmless perosn on earth, no one could ever say he should be locked up, he sets an example to people who have tourettes syndrome and others should not be frightened of it. It’s common and unstoppable but people deal with it in their own way. There’s nothing wrong with Pete it’s the people who think there is. Someone should put them right because it’s wrong! .x.Pete to win BB.x.
August 4th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Pete is probably this most normal perso on big brother and I would love to see him win. He’s helped me a lot, because like him I have Tourettes, and hate the way people make instent judgements, rather than getting to know the person first. You can’t judge a book by its cover> PETE TO WIN!!!
September 1st, 2006 at 10:06 am
pete since you fell down the stairs i new you was goin to be verry funny whitch you are and most probably allways will be and i new from the begining you could
win but when we was near the end glyn started to brighten up and people started to like glyn aswell as you but glyn wasnt as funny but he was funny an he is a great cook haray for pete the funniest man alive. ps i have torrets aswell badly behavior torrets that is bye x