Celeb News: Evander Holyfield :"Being Gay Ain't normal, Can Be Fixed"

Signs

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Channel 5 could face an Ofcom investigation after the regulator confirmed viewers had complained about Celebrity Big Brother contestant Evander Holyfield saying being gay "ain't normal" and can be "fixed".

The broadcasting watchdog confirmed on Monday that it was assessing several complaints, but would not confirm how many. "No decision to formally investigate has yet been made at this stage," an Ofcom spokesman said.

Big Brother producers verbally warned the former world heavyweight boxing champion about a conversation he had with fellow contestant Luisa Zissman about the lack of openly gay sports stars, which was broadcast in Sunday night's highlights programme on Channel 5 from 9pm.

The Apprentice runner-up told Holyfield that she thought it was bad that few people speak out about being gay in the sports industry.

Zissman said: "I think it's good to be open like that because it's normal."

Holyfield replied: "But that ain't normal."

Zissman then said: "That's just the way some people are born."

The retired boxer argued: "It don't make no difference. If you're born and your leg was turned this way, what do you do? You go to a doctor and get it fixed back right."

Zissman tried to change the subject, saying she thought it was an inappropriate conversation for the house.

Later, the Big Brother production team called Holyfield to the diary room to discipline him and remind him of the show's rules regarding unacceptable language and behaviour.

Big Brother said: "While Big Brother understands these are the views you hold, they aren't the views that are held by a large section of society, and expressing these views will be extremely offensive to many people.

"Do you understand why?"

Holyfield said: "Yes I understand why. I thought I was just, I forgot about the thing. I was just telling her my opinion but it's not like I was going to mention [it] to anybody else. It was just our conversation."

He has not yet apologised for his remarks.

Big Brother continued: "Big Brother does not tolerate the use of offensive language and must therefore warn you to consider very carefully the effect expressing such views may have and the harm and offence you may cause by repeating these views inside the house."

Boy George reprimanded Holyfield on Twitter saying: "Shame, I had such admiration for Mr Evander Holyfield, he seemed dignified and I was sure he was a cool, smart, giant!"

He later tweeted: "At customs there should be a huge sign! Welcome to Britain, racism, sexism, homophobia and bad hair are not tolerated!"

The last series of Big Brother attracted 965 complaints to Ofcom, making it the most complained-about show of 2013, taking into account the whole series as opposed to individual incidents or episodes.

Housemate Jemima Slade's comments that she liked "dark-skinned Mediterranean men" but "not black men" prompted 305 complaints to Ofcom, making it the third most complained-about individual programme in 2013.

Black Beauty

Do people REALLY still believe this stuff? That's sad.

Well, I guess my brother and parents still do.

Cobrastyle.

No one is born a bigot, get to a doctor and get it fixed, Sir.

Navyofbadgals

disgusting

Mike91

The only way he would know this is if he was "previously" gay and had it "fixed" (as he puts it).

TheOnlyOne

Is that why God put my gspot in my asshole?

Signs

Using the Bible against gays when the bible says you shouldn't make money of talent, judge others, wear cloth from more than one type of thread, kill disobedient children, stone woman who have sex before marriage etc. What about when the bible says that. It's sad that Christians use the bible as an excuse to be against gays, than to genuinely follow their religion/God.

Kai Tai

He should be fixed.

Mikeymoonshine

It's BS but tbh I dunno why 5 are being blamed. It's his personal opinion, I am not really a fan of fighting bigotry with censorship tbh I would have just let him get voted off for it.

But then I don't watch this.

Faruhs

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Originally posted by TheOnlyOne

Is that why God put my gspot in my asshole?

nnnnnnnnn

RihannasVeryOwn

It's not Channel 5's fault though

Mikeymoonshine

Surely to find a cure for gay people you would need to know the exact cause first? (not that I believe a cure is possible)

I guess reality doesn't matter when it comes to religious fanatics.

RihannasVeryOwn

Quote:

Originally posted by TheOnlyOne

Is that why God put my gspot in my asshole?

Men have g spots?

thxrsday

Quote:

Originally posted by Cobrastyle.

No one is born a bigot, get to a doctor and get it fixed, Sir.

.

EdgeOfAddiction

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The retired boxer argued: "It don't make no difference. If you're born and your leg was turned this way, what do you do? You go to a doctor and get it fixed back right."

His comprehension skills seem a tad bit rudimentary.

UnusualBoy

I can't believe there's still people with such an archaic thoughts, bless his ignorant ass.

Faruhs

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Originally posted by RihannasVeryOwn

Men have g spots?

Sis you didn't know that?

DIVO DIVINE

He couldn't even clearly make a single one of his points... he needs to get fixed.

Apocalipstick

Whilst I disagree with his opinion strongly, I do think Channel 5 were just trying to cover there arse by reprimanding him. Whilst his opinion shows a lot of ignorance and is offensive in some way the context of the conversation wasn't to actively outrage people, it was a debate.

Now if here were to go around and abuse anybody homosexual emotionally or physically that would be something they should take action against.

Quote:

Originally posted by TheOnlyOne

Is that why God put my gspot in my asshole?

EDIT: He doesn't seem all there if I'm honest, he didn't have a clue what was happening in launch night

muddysquirrel

Can Mike Tyson bite off his other ear please.