It seems as though the world is divided into two camps today. Those who believe that Shilpa Shetty is not a victim of bullying or racism, and those who would like are disgusted and disappointed by the antics of three girls who should know better.

I have to say that while our contributor Evelyn falls into the first camp, I really believe that Danielle Lloyd, Jo O’Meara and Jade Goody are completely in the wrong on this occasion. In a small way I do pity them, I can only imagine how they will be received by the public when they exit from the house. I can see this episode damaging their careers for years to come.

The only people that seem to be staying quiet on this issue are The Big Brother team themselves. It is obvious that both Russell Brand and Dermot O’Leary have been warned to avoid the topic at all costs…..not an easy task when John McCririck is a guest on your show. Channel 4 have issued very bland and non-committal statements saying that they believe the girls behaviour is not racist but just female bitchiness…or words to that effect. But anyone can clearly see that if not being racist, then the girls are definitely bullying Shilpa out of envy or jealousy. Either way they need to be warned that it is not acceptable.

Shilpa may not have many friends in the Big Brother house, but her popularity has soared out in the real world. There have been protests held in India today by her fans, who burned effigies of Big Brother bosses, and slightly more frighteningly, the show’s producers, received two emails that made threats towards a number of the housemates and police have confirmed that they are investigating. Thousands of people have complained to OFCOM about the racist behaviour they have witnessed and many more thousands have also been signing petitions aimed at Channel 4.

Shilpas plight even made it into the world of politics today when Prime Minister, Tony Blair, spoke out against racism in the House Of Commons. Chancellor Gordon Brown also spoke made a statement about the racism row whilst in India today.

I predict that Shilpa Shetty will no doubt have the last laugh in this whole saga. We are backing her to win, but even if she doesn’t, her fame has now spread worldwide. She will be known for her maturity and her dignity, while the other three would be well advised to creep away and hide for a few months until people forget how hateful they really were.