Channel 5 has come under fire after Angie Bowie was shown on Celebrity Big Brother in tears after being told of the death of her former husband David.
The broadcaster said Angie had decided to stay in the house after being told off-screen of the 69-year-old singer’s death. She was later shown in a trail for Tuesday’s show in its diary room crying before being comforted by housemates John Partridge and David Gest.
Media regulator Ofcom said on Monday morning it had received 13 complaints which it would assess before deciding whether to launch an investigation.
The former model said: “I haven’t seen him in so many years, I can’t make a big drama out of it. I just feel like an era has ended with his passing. I’m so very sad.”
“The stardust is gone,” she added.
She went on to explain her decision to stay on the show, saying: “If I don’t leave, I look callous. If I stay I look callous. I’d prefer to be here but I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”
Viewers criticised the programme on Twitter, claiming it exploited her grief.
Still can't believe C5 - even C5 - did a "Coming up tomorrow, David Bowie's ex-wife weeps in the diary room at the news of his death." #CBB
— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) January 11, 2016
Low blow from #CBB to show Angie Bowie's reaction despite saying she was told off-camera.. Literally no one needed to see that
— Ellie (@eleanorrrrrrrr_) January 12, 2016
A spokesperson for Channel 5 said: “Angie Bowie was told off-camera about the tragic death of David Bowie by her agent. She then took the decision to remain in the house of her own accord. Last night’s preview of the upcoming programme included footage of Angie in the diary room after she had heard the news about her ex-husband.”
The former model separated from the singer in the 80s and has previously revealed she has not spoken to him for decades.
Monday’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother drew 2.1 million viewers.
- This article was corrected on 13 January to say the footage of Angie Bowie responding to David Bowie’s death was featured in the trail rather than the highlights show.
