Ouch weblog: individual blog entry
15 May 06, 9:09 AM - Big Brother 7 to feature Tourette's housemate?
OK, so if you're an avid fan of , it's nearly time to cancel the rest of summer and sit in front of your telly 24 hours a day, because BB7 hits the country's TV screens this Thursday, 18 May.
Since Ouch started back in 2002, every year at about this time we get to debating whether there might be a disabled person entering the house for the next series. And every year, so far, the speculation has proved to be wrong. But what about 2006? Well, there are rumours circulating - mostly on unofficial forums and message boards, but which have now been picked up by some sections of the press - that one of the latest crop of housemates is a guy with Tourette's Syndrome.
Details seemed sketchy until yesterday, when newspaper revealed much more about the rumoured contestant. (Whether or not you choose to believe it is, of course, down to you). Under the headline I'm *I*I Pete - which Crippled Monkey thinks, though can't be sure, might be a hilarious reference to swearing - the People reveals that Peter, who is "afflicted" by Tourette's, is 24 years old and hails from Brighton, where he is the lead singer for "flamboyant glam-rock band ".
Of course, whether or not Peter has been brought into the house merely for shock value is ... oh, come on! This is Big Brother we're talking about! An unnamed source is quoted in the article as saying: "He has a foul mouth and is a loose cannon. He'll certainly add some fireworks to the house. It's tough to deal with someone who has Tourette's if you're not used to it, so the housemates will face their first challenge just getting used to him, and his swearing and abuse". Oh, and it's also worth mentioning that the glam-rock nature of Peter's band means that he dresses up in outlandish clothes - including wigs, women's blouses, tight trousers and animal prints - all of which he's being touted as "this year's Pete Burns" (the singer of Dead Or Alive who featured in the last celeb series of BB).
We'll bring you more about this story as and when we discover it - and we'll be glued to the telly on Thursday night in the hope of seeing the possible arrival of the first disabled Big Brother housemate. Until then, we'll just have to wait and see ...
Comment
At 10:05 AM on 15 May 2006, wrote:
If this is true I will never watch BB again. This is not an attempt to be positive about disability but rather an attempt to ridicule a condition and make itinto a freak show. It seems that if Channel 4 have a lot to learn.
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At 10:46 AM on 15 May 2006, wrote:
Don't be daft, this isn't about disability. This is about "hey, look, we can get a guy who'll swear lots on camera and there's nothing anyone can do about it!"
But then what do you expect from TV? Guess why I don't watch it any more?
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At 11:58 AM on 16 May 2006, wrote:
I don't think peter will fir in at all with the othere housemates. I reckon he may be slanted by the nation and the press.
Oh yes, by all means give the guy a chance in there but I think he might be offended by what people may say and the other housemates taunts.
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At 11:19 PM on 17 May 2006, elaine wrote:
TV suddenly find it draws viewing figures to sensationalise something that can be a very distressing disability. I am the mother of a young man with this problem and I assure you there is no glamour about Tourettes. Good luck to the young man in his quest for fame but Channel 4 should not be exploiting him to make money
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At 09:53 PM on 24 May 2006, Alex J Holland wrote:
THIS GUY NEEDS RESPECT!
Pete is a great bloke, he manages to turn his tourrettes into a groovy charm, and he is quite clearly very popular in the house.
He is obviously far more comftable with himself than anyone else in the house, and I think a lot of people can learn from his attitude, he seems like he is getting far more than most people out of life, and is proof that nothing can hold you back.
And at least 2 of those girls in the house would agree with me! ;)
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At 07:30 PM on 30 May 2006, eve wrote:
i personally think that pete is in there for a laugh and maybe to get a bit of promo for his band. he has turned something which you lot seem to regard as a hideous disease into something charming and innocent (unless u are offended by the words). he can laugh at himself which is a lot more than can be said for certain previous housemates. i think the guy's fully class!
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At 07:35 PM on 30 May 2006, eve wrote:
i personally think that pete is in the house to have a bit of a laugh and maybe get a bit of promo for his band. he has managed to turn something which you lot seem to regard as a hideous disease into something charming and innocently sweet (unless you are offended by the words). the guy can laugh at himself which is a lot more than can be said for previous housemates! i think he's fully class, and you know what if BB7 offends you, then just don't watch it!!!
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At 10:54 PM on 14 Jul 2006, jodie wrote:
omgggggggg i cant belive it the stupid ppl that voted nikki out its gonna be so borein!!!! i aint even gonna watch it ever again unless they put the lovey sweet funny as heck (nikk) back in i reali thinks she should go back in i hope no 1 watches it again!!! i want nikki back in there now!! plzzz put her back in!!!! jodie
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At 12:04 PM on 08 May 2007, Barry Newson wrote:
I suffer from tourettes and I believe that including Pete helps those that have the syndrome. I have constantly struggled and have very low self esteem as a result of it and I live in hope that this will highlight what it is and will stop people looking at me like I'm a complete freak when I get a tick.
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