Celebrity Big Brother duo JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes have gained a famous fan who is defending them against allegations of ‘weird’ behaviour.
The TikTok star, 31, and former Love Islander, 32, have been one of this year’s main talking points thanks to their close friendship.
JoJo and Chris gravitated towards one another early doors when he defended her against homophobic language used by Mickey Rourke.
In the weeks since, they’ve developed a sweet, tactile bond, which often sees them cuddling in bed, giving one another back rubs, and sharing deep conversations.
However, this has raised many eyebrows among viewers. Despite JoJo being a lesbian and Chris a straight man, plenty of CBB fans reckon they’re too ‘flirty’ for their own good.
Plenty of debates have been had on the matter, with some expressing concern for JoJo’s partner on the outside world and even accusing her of ‘cheating.’
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In contrast, LGBTQ+ viewers have fought her corner, insisting they are merely pals who enjoy affection, shutting down the idea that she is romantically interested.
During Monday night’s episode, the drama was only further fuelled when Chris asked JoJo to lick chocolate off his shorts before plucking out one of his ingrown leg hairs.
As the panel on spin-off show Late & Live delved into the situation, former Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse was keen to make her position clear.
After it was suggested by others that their closeness is ‘not normal,’ Oti chimed in: ‘Can I just say, I don’t mind their friendship.
‘As a professional dancer, we are quite tactile people anyway, so we don’t mind touching.
‘We don’t mind touching and being really close because their friendship is actually showing other people’s insecurities and thinking, “Why are we not in that duo?” and it’s just showing who they are.’
Metro senior entertainment reporter Emily Bashforth on Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa’s friendship
Men and women can be platonic without wanting to rip one another’s clothes off. They can hug and sleep beside one another without considering there might be more to it, and I highly doubt either JoJo or Chris has given it a second thought.
But when I scroll through the CBBUK hashtag, I’m served a painful reminder of just how far we have to go until women-loving-women are free to be themselves without the shadow of heteronormativity hanging over them.
I’m tired of viewers tarnishing the show by making me uncomfortable, pushing the insidious narrative that JoJo is only one male relationship away from being ‘turned’, and creating an echo chamber for Mickey’s vile comments about being able to change her.
The Dancing On Ice judge then weighed in on whether Chris believes he has a chance with JoJo, after he previously admitted he would ‘probably’ kiss her.
‘I don’t think that Chris is thinking opportunity with JoJo,’ she said. ‘I just think his intelligence level is more like JoJo’s, and it’s literally platonic.’
Taking to X with their commentary as the episode unfolded, plenty of viewers sided with Oti, declaring her a ‘queen’ and ‘so right’.
‘Well done Oti, it’s about time someone stuck up for them they are kind genuine people’, tweeted @thinker3600.
‘Oti mabuse queen of spitting facts’, stated @Dutchbbfan.
‘Say it louder Oti!!! Save Chris’, wrote @casyla_nirtac as Chris faces a triple eviction tomorrow night along with Angellica Bella, Danny Beard, Patsy Palmer, and Ella Rae Wise.
Although not everyone agreed with Oti’s points, with one suggesting youngest housemate JoJo is ‘naïve’ to how Chris feels about her.
@megssoro wrote: ‘Sorry Oti, but I think Jojo is quite naïve still and it’s platonic on her end but the age difference & some stuff Chris has said is sus’.
Earlier tonight, viewers were left emotional after watching Chris break down in tears when fellow housemates openly questioned his friendship with JoJo, perhaps suggesting he has been ‘playing a game’.
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The horse racing presenter was undeniably upset by the accusation that his bond with JoJo, who boasts 45million followers on TikTok alone, was struck up so he could advance in the show.
Speaking in the Diary Room, Chris told Big Brother that he feels ‘exhausted,’ admitting he no longer likes being in the house’s ‘toxic’ environment.
‘People have made me feel like I can’t have a friendship with JoJo.
‘Or feel like I have to justify a friendship with JoJo, because we get on and we have fun. I’m actually really sad.’
Celebrity Big Brother continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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