Celebrity Big Brother’s Ann Widdecombe is facing her second backlash in as many days after misgendering trans housemate India Willoughby.
The former Conservative MP, who previously caused controversy with her comments on the Harvey Weinstein scandal, sparked outrage when she referred to India as “he”.
During Thursday (4 January) night’s episode of the Channel 5 reality show, viewers saw the housemates discussing their names, with India joking she was named after her “mother’s favourite takeaway”.
Remarking to the rest of the group, Ann said: “I think he is pulling your leg.”
India quickly corrected Ann on her misgendering, to which Ann responded: “Oh I beg your pardon.”
Fans later saw India confront Ann about the incident, telling her being misgendered “hurts”. However, India added she didn’t believe it was said intentionally or with malice.
Nevertheless, some viewers branded Ann “offensive” and “disrespectful”, with some even going as far as to call her “transphobic”:
Ann Widdecombe repeatedly misgendering India Willoughby on CBB is so uncomfortable and also so unhelpful. Also not sure why @bbuk haven’t stepped in yet? It’s offensive, and it’s harmful.
January 5, 2018
Ann misgendered India on purpose! There is no man in the room and if India hasn’t told everyone she was trans*, would Ann have made the comment? NO. Have a word, #CBB!
January 4, 2018
After Ann’s constant moaning since the second she walked in & miss-gendering India (which personally I think was on purpose, you can’t mistake ‘he’ when there’s no men in the house) I can’t see how people can favour her & call her a legend #CBB
January 4, 2018
I’m sorry but Ann deffo called India ‘he’ on purpose. So glad India can stick up for herself and seems strong minded. #cbb #CelebritybigbrotherUK
Cannot believe Ann called India a he. How absolutely awful of her ! @bbuk #cbb
I think Ann has obviously called India ‘he’ on purpose… it’s not like it was an accident because there’s no men around! Such a nasty woman #CBB
Ann Widecombe calling India “He” is so disrespectful! And she also opposes same sex marriage therefore not my cup of tea and hope she gets booted out first #CBBUK
#CBB I actually cannot believe Ann called India a he! I can’t imagine how that made her feel..
#CBB Ann is not “witty” or “funny” for calling India a he. She’s transphobic and idiotic. Get that old bitch out
did Ann really just call India he? Why am I acting shocked I’m not even surprised tbh
I can’t believe Ann just accidentally called India “he” ahhh that was so hard to watch ? #CBBUK
Ann referred to India as ‘he’ and I haven’t felt this awkward and uncomfortable in a very long time #CelebrityBigBrother
Ann’s misgendering of India followed an earlier conversation in which the former MP expressed the belief that gender reassignment surgery shouldn’t be available on the NHS.
She said: “The fact is that NHS can’t do everything, isn’t doing everything, and you’ve got to ask yourself what the priorities should be.
“Priorities are fine, as long as you’re not the one implementing them.”
When India pointed out many trans people can feel suicidal about being trapped in the wrong body and surgery may help save their lives, Ann continued: “But you still don’t have a lot of people getting what they need. And therefore you do have to face things and say ‘anything that everyone’s going through is the world to them, what do we as a society have to make priority if you cannot do everything?’”
‘Celebrity Big Brother’ continues on Friday at 9pm on Channel 5.