Scrap Big Brother, says O'Meara

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Former pop singer Jo O'Meara has called for Celebrity Big Brother to be axed in the wake of the international race row that engulfed the Channel 4 show.

"I feel if this is what a TV show does to people, then it shouldn't be a TV show," she told Sky News.

"The whole thing has been so unfair and so cruel," she added. "I've not been portrayed as the person I really am."

O'Meara's conduct towards Indian star and eventual winner Shilpa Shetty saw her accused of racist bullying.

The former S Club 7 singer has claimed she has received death threats since leaving the Channel 4 show.

None of it makes sense. I don't know how this has all happened Jo O'Meara Last week she issued a statement apologising for her behaviour and saying her life had been "devastated".

"I don't think you can get much lower," she told Sky News in a recorded interview shown on Sunday.

"They say you have to hit rock bottom before you can build yourself up. I just hope I'm at the bottom now."

O'Meara said she had contemplated suicide but had been "too wimpish" to go any further.

Fighting back tears, she also reiterated earlier denials that she was a racist.

Police have interviewed Lloyd in connection with the row"I'm not a racist person, I never ever have been," she said.

"None of it makes sense. I don't know how this has all happened."

The treatment of Bollywood actress Shetty by O'Meara and fellow housemates Jade Goody and Danielle Lloyd sparked an international outcry and led to 40,000 complaints.

Hertfordshire police officers have interviewed Lloyd, a former Miss Great Britain, about her role in the row.

Channel 4 bosses have ordered a review of Big Brother and have expressed "profound regret" for any offence caused.

Auditions are currently being held for the next non-celebrity series of the programme.