Shilpa Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother

Monday, January 29, 2007 (London, New Delhi):


Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty has emerged as the big winner of the British reality show, Celebrity Big Brother.

Now richer by Rs 85 lakh, Shilpa walked out of the Big Brother house and into what many say is a new career as a global celebrity.

According to Shilpa's new agent, she now stands to earn millions of pounds from new contracts over the next few months.

The actress, who won the show with 67 per cent votes going in her favour, has been the favourite of bookies, besides riding high on a sympathy wave.

Popularity charts

From being one of the first to be up for eviction, Shilpa's popularity has climbed steadily. And as news of her victory emerged, her fans were ecstatic.

"I think she deserved it. She handled it all in the right way, the whole drama. She handled it the best way she could really, she deserved to win definitely and made all of us Indians really proud," said a fan.

"All the things she's gone through, she's got such a good heart. She is such a forgiving person. She's got great decorum, she has," said another.

Little had she anticipated that her stay in the house of Big Brother would make political headlines. Audiences watched in horror as she was humiliated by fellow housemates Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.

Political support

Even the political leadership of India and Britain voiced their concern. Shilpa had been oblivious to the goings on in the world outside and was in a forgiving mood.

"I really didn't know how things were perceived by people outside the Big Brother House. I saw the footage of the first time and it looked pretty ghastly. And I am someone who likes to look forward in life and I want to put it behind me," she said.

"It wasn't a very pleasant episode. But not in Jade's defence and I a m not trying to be politically correct here. It may have seemed like it was bad, but I can say that Jade is not a bad person, and she didn't really contrive to be like that she is just young, and people a fallible. So there is nothing in my heart, the day we hugged it was all gone and forgotten really," she added.

And then she sought to put it all behind her.

"I just want to thank them for all their support and I'm very proud to be an Indian and very proud of my colour. And I just want them to know there is no reason to feel what they feel as long as you carry yourself well with dignity, with kindness in your heart it can never go wrong," said Shilpa.

"So it really doesn't matter what people think of you and perceive of you. I think everything in the Big Brother house is really magnified. I just want them to understand that it was just a game. It's over; it's out of the way. Let's move on," she added.

Goody's apology

After Jade's earlier apology, it was Danielle Lloyd's turn to apologise.

"Yeah I'd like to apologise to everybody for the words that I have said. They were never ever ever meant in a racist way whatsoever. And I'm not a racist. I think Shilpa's a fantastic, beautiful lady, and I'm very very sorry Shilpa," said Danielle Lloyd, Contestant, Celebrity Big Brother.

Shilpa was intent on moving on. "I just want to say, whatever happened I don't really want to blame anyone especially not Danielle."

From exclusive television interviews to irresistible film, television and endorsement offers, Shilpa's career clearly seems to have been reborn.

Source : NDTV