Big Brother viewers have watched George Gilbert’s final hurrah on the ITV show, with many ‘happy to see the back’ of him after his divisive time in the house.
The 23-year-old parish councillor from Essex has been at the centre of a string of controversies since signing onto the show, which he did to ‘meet people from different walks of life and to get the opportunity to chew the fat with them’.
News came earlier today that George had been kicked out of the house with immediate effect following ‘repeated use of unacceptable language and behaviour’.
As he was up for eviction on Friday, the voting lines have now closed and are re-opening for tomorrow’s show.
George appeared on Wednesday evening’s episode before being kicked out of the house, the fallout from which will be televised in Thursday evening’s episode.
While it is reported by The Sun that the comments George made which led to his axe had the potential to be construed as antisemitic, they reportedly violated broadcasting standards and so will not be aired.
On tonight’s episode George also offered his views on homelessness, suggesting people must take responsibility for their financial situations, and also said most people who shoplift are driven by greed rather than desperation.
George also got into a discussion about a scene in Disney’s Lightyear film, in which two women who are in a relationship together kiss.
He accused the film of ramming ‘political messages’ down childrens’ throats by showing two women kissing, calling the notion ‘pornographic’.
‘They’re trying to hijack children’s films and putting political messages in it,’ George said, before Zelah responded: ‘You wouldn’t be saying the same if it was a straight couple.’
While George said he would, the conversation sparked fury online.
‘I feel like George only sees it as pornographic because it was a gay couple. It’s a Pixar film, how the hell can a Pixar film be pornographic??’ said @PastelUnicorn5.
‘Glad to see the back of George!’ said @S2NGH after this particular interaction.
‘As a flag bearer of freedom of speech I never hesitate to discuss and question any topic regardless of how contentious it may be,’ George began in a statement provided to Metro on his exit.
‘Sadly, the boundaries of what is deemed offensive are subjective and I evidently went too far this time by crossing their line one too many times.
‘It is a shame that specific debate could not be had and that it has had to end like this. Infamy, infamy, they’ve all got it in for me.’
An ITV spokesperson confirmed the news of his exit in a statement to Metro, sharing: ‘Following repeated use of unacceptable language and behaviour, George has been removed from the Big Brother House with immediate effect and will no longer participate in the programme.’
He was previously handed warnings from Big Brother after a number of moments which were also not aired on TV.
However one moment was aired on Monday, in which George was asked to give the qualities of each of his peers that he didn’t like in a game of truth or dare.
He then imitated the hand gestures and voice of 27-year-old Zumba instructor, singer and LGBTQ+ rights activist Sam Ashby, who became visibly emotional over the incident, later telling Big Brother that he felt mocked ‘as if [he has] some kind of disability’ and the laughter from other male housemates reminded him of homophobic abuse he faced at school.
The following night, George was handed a verbal warning for discriminatory behaviour.
After George was called into the Diary Room, Big Brother asked George: ‘Do you understand how both your language and behaviour could be offensive to Sam, your Housemates and the viewing public?’
He responded: ‘We did have a conversation about this, Sam pulled me to one side. I have apologised. I don’t want to make anyone feel like that, so, I will be walking on eggshells around Sam from here on in.’
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Big Brother then added: ‘George, Big Brother thinks your language was unacceptable and could cause offence and is therefore issuing you with a warning.’
George also gave his opinions on immigration and shared his support for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who housemate Caroline recently revealed she was friends with.
He’s not the only housemate to get into hot water this year, after Caroline misgendered trans man Zelah on last night’s episode, insisting that he was ‘a girl’.
‘I just got called a girl Big Brother. It’s been a while,’ Zelah said to Big Brother after the incident, after which Caroline repeatedly apologised.
‘I didn’t think it would affect me that much. It’s kind of why I didn’t want to tell anyone from the get go because once people know their true perceptions of you come out… But, “She’s a girl,” was strong.
‘I think I have quite a thick skin. I am so down for open conversations and people having questions. I think it’s really important because with silence comes divisiveness.
‘But sometimes my openness can come at the expense of my own feelings. That really hit. I can’t remember the last time words hurt me like that.’
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