Celebrity Big Brother producers have caused a furore, after allegedly asking injured soldiers to appear on the show.

Sources suggest that Endemol have sent several charities an email asking for details of soldiers who are homeless or injured and a senior casting director has reportedly sent Facebook messages to soldiers who have had amputations.

The Daily Mail reports that an email sent to the Army Benevolent Fund said: “As well as the open auditions we always cast the net far and wide. I’d like to politely enquire if any of your members would be interested in BB11?”

ABF spokesperson Annabelle Fuller commented: “We’re a charity, not a selection box for bad TV programmes. The people we help are often vulnerable.”

A spokesperson for Endemol said: “Every year we contact lots of organisations because we want to get a wide variety of people in the house. That does not mean to say we will put someone from the military in there.

“It is an opportunity for everybody to audition. The casting director has contacted a variety of organisations including the ones mentioned and lots of other places as well.”