Celebrity Big Brother contestant Alexander O’Neal is in hot water after reportedly saying he was not racist but “disliked” Arabs.
The American singer, 61, apparently said in an interview before going into the house that black people were discriminated against by Arabs in Mississippi, where he was born and raised.
He was quoted as telling The Sun: “OK, honestly, Arabs. Arabs — I try not to hate anybody but they are probably my most disliked and most distrustful person in the whole world."
He added: “We’ve got Arabs in Mississippi, I’m like ‘what the f***?’ we’re out in the country here and you’ve got Arabs running this country store.”
“Why are you up here taking our money, taking our jobs — I don’t approve of that.”
But O’Neal - who has been one of the calmer personalities on the Channel 5 reality show - was also quoted as saying “I just don’t approve” of racism.
Fellow housemate Nadia Sawalha is proud of her Jordanian roots, but so far there has not been any sign of friction between the pair.
Spokespeople for both Celebrity Big Brother and Alexander O'Neal have been reached for comment.
Source: Mirror.co.uk
