Big Brother has been engulfed in yet another race row, as former Eastenders actress Wendy Richards appeared to racially abuse Thai housemate, Kathreya.

Wendy was talking on spin-off show Big Brother’s Little Brother on Monday night and commented: “I was a big fan of Kat, and we would discuss it amongst our friends and they said she is not right.

“I looked at her through different eyes and I have to admit they were right and I was wrong. She is fake, and she is very cute.

“What is it they say about these inscrutable Chinese? And she is Thai, but it is all Oriental isn’t it? Well it is to me anyway.”

Realising how Wendy’s comments could be interpreted, presenter George Lamb quickly said: “I don’t think that is unique to Asian people, more to Kat.”

Wendy continued: “They don’t betray their emotions on their face, that is what I meant.”

TV watchdog Ofcom has already received complaints about the episode, which was cut from E$ repeats of the show.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: “BBLB does go out live, George Lamb did correct her that her comment was not specific to Asian people but to Kat.”

Wendy’s spokesman Kevin Francis said: “Wendy would have not intended comments that way, she is not racist at all. It has been blown out of all proportion.”