Trish Balusa, a Big Brother star, will not appear on the show’s spin-off, Late & Live, after uncovered statements she made on social media years ago stirred uproar.
The 33-year-old was ousted from the House on Friday night with Chanelle Bowen, 29, despite the crowd shouting for her to win.
While Trish was applauded as she exited the House, troubling tweets including racist and homophobic comments were uncovered on her X (previously Twitter) account shortly after eviction night.
The account appears to have since been deactivated, but posts that were screenshotted featured messages such as: ‘There are Asian people everywhere but why do the ones in Ilford/EastHam/Upton Park and Barking smell like this kmt (kiss my teeth). Shame on you.’
The aforementioned post was shared in March 2012.
One tweet that she wrote in May 2012 read: ‘Justin Bieber is TOO pretty, he looks like a lesbian,’ while another from the same month read: ‘Today a lesbian was making a move on me at work, I don’t know how I feel about that.’
Trish apologised for the harm caused by her previous statements in an Instagram statement posted on Sunday, November 12.
‘I’m aware that some very concerning old tweets of mine have resurfaced, and I would like to sincerely apologise for the harmful stereotypes I perpetuated and the pain I have caused to the marginalised communities and groups of people mentioned,’ she began.
‘There are no excuses for the ignorance that I showed and I am deeply disappointed, embarrassed and ashamed that I once made such comments. I have come a very long way since by educating myself and being educated by others on the impact and harm these views cause.’
She continued: ‘It is part of the reason why I am so passionate about standing up for others and holding myself to a high standard of responsibility and accountability for my actions.
‘I appreciate the support you’ve all given me on the show and I understand you feel disappointed. I know apologies can seem convenient in these circumstances, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart: I am truly sorry. I hope it is possible for you to offer me grace and believe that people can change.’
Trish concluded: ‘I am committed to being the person I am now, the person you have known me as – someone who speaks up, stands for what they believe in and always open to growth and accountability.’
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She was evicted on Friday and was scheduled to appear on Big Brother: Late & Live on Sunday evening.
However, ITV has confirmed that she will not be making an appearance, the Daily Mirror reported.
A spokeswoman for the BBC also addressed Trish’s ‘historical’ tweets, saying that they will investigate why they were not discovered before to her Big Brother House appearance.
‘This weekend, we have been made aware of concerning historical tweets,’ they said.
‘We are currently looking into why they were not identified by the independent supplier we engage to review the digital footprint of potential Housemates as part of our pre-checks.’
Big Brother returns tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.