The knives are certainly out for housemates Jade Goody, her boyfriend Jack Tweed, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara who are accused of racially abusing Shilpa Shetty - an actress who has starred in more than 50 Bollywood films.

Complaints began flooding in to Channel 4 and industry watchdog Ofcom after a row erupted in the house over, of all things, an under-cooked chicken.

Insults aimed at 31-year-old Shetty have included: "Is it India where they eat with their hands?", "I don't want her hands in it. You don't know where those hands have been," and "**** off home, she can't even speak English properly".

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh demanded TV watchdog Ofcom investigated the allegations immediately and not wait until the show is over.

Mr Singh yesterday expressed his views over the continuing remarks being made by three other contestants.

He said: "I have not seen enough of it to say whether it was racist but there is clear evidence of bullying and ganging up.

"And it is being taken very seriously by the public and Ofcom should investigate immediately."

Carphone Warehouse suspended its sponsorship of the show yesterday as a result of the race row.

The company ordered Channel 4 to remove its name and branding from the programme with immediate effect after an escalation of the alleged racist behaviour.

Chief executive Charles Dunstone said in a statement: "Our concern has rapidly mounted about the broadcast behaviour of individuals within the Big Brother house.

"We are totally against all forms of racism and bullying and indeed this behaviour is entirely at odds with the brand values of The Carphone Warehouse."

The Perfume Shop announced it had decided to withdraw sales of Jade's perfume from its shelves following the Big Brother controversy.

A spokesman said: "This decision will be reviewed once Ms Goody has left the house and is in a position to respond to the media in person."

Channel 4 boss Andy Duncan has defended the decision to keep Celebrity Big Brother on air, saying the issues raised were "unquestionably a good thing".

The Channel 4 chief executive told a media conference in Oxford: "The level of complaint and comment shows the programme has touched a real nerve.

"The debate has been heated, the viewing has at times been uncomfortable but, in my view, it is unquestionably a good thing that the programme has raised these issues and provoked such a debate.

"These attitudes, however distasteful, do persist - we need to confront that truth."

Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation expressed serious concern. He said: "Attempts should be made to stop the bullying behaviour because it can be damaging for an individual's emotional and mental health. The after-effects of taking part in a programme such as this can be traumatic."

  • Click here to see Our View

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here