Make-up artist Farida, 50, has come under fire for her “insensitive” comments about NHS manager Kerry, 40, who has multiple sclerosis.
This week, the housemates of the show, which returned to screens on Sunday, were faced with a trial that involved working for a fictional company chaired by Big Brother, with big wigs, middle management and bottoms in hierarchical positions.
At the start of the trial, both Farida and Kerry, who face eviction on Friday night’s show, were placed in the “middle management” category, but the former grumbled about his unwillingness to commit to the physical work.
She later took aim at Kerry for not engaging in the physicality of tasks, such as kitchen tasks, which led to an explosion on People with disabilities increased”.
Angry viewers branded Farida “out of order”, “disgusting” and “ignorant” over her comments, writing: “Nothing gets me down more than lazy rhetoric.” I don’t know how much pain, fatigue, etc. affects a person felt in that moment.”
Blow after blow: Make-up artist Farida, 50, has come under fire for her “insensitive” comments about NHS manager Kerry, 40, who suffers from multiple sclerosis
On the way: Kerry suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) – a disease that can affect the brain and spinal cord and cause a variety of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, feeling or balance
Anger: She later targeted Kerry for not engaging in the physicality of the tasks, such as tasks in the kitchen, which resulted in a blow-up
The NHS website says: “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, feeling or balance .”
“It is a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause severe disability.” Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, muscle stiffness and cramps, problems with balance and coordination, and problems with thinking, learning and planning.
During her visit to the diary room, Farida said: “Kerry is the lazy one.” No help with washing, drying, cutting or vegetables. Yes, she might be proud that she got promoted because she is now even higher than middle management…
“This title will be a great honor for her, but I hope that it is full of counting and trains not her mouth, but her mindset, her brain and her hands.”
There was shock online following her comments.
Viewers wrote: “People are somehow more annoyed by Kerry being Gemma Collins (which I think is just because she’s tall and from Essex, so prejudice) but not by Farida casually talking about Kerry’s Disabilities and physical problems insulted…”
“Did Farida just call a #MS patient lazy?!? #Ableism #BigBrother… Farida’s attempt to turn everyone against Kerry for not helping with housework is the same kind of ableism that paints disabled people who can’t work as lazy. Absolutely disgusting…
“For example, what do you contribute in terms of support or morale, Farida?” Yes, exactly #BBUK… Sure, she doesn’t chop vegetables or clean, but she makes everyone feel emotionally supported and valued, doesn’t she … @bbuk
Emotion: At the beginning of the episode, Farida burst into tears as she spoke openly about her family and religion
Divided: Other viewers were more divided on the issue, with some defending Farida’s comments
“Farida has to go! Absolutely disgusting women and bullying someone with MS!!… Okay, but as a disabled person myself, nothing annoys me more than lazy rhetoric. I don’t know how much pain, fatigue, etc. a person feels…
“Farida calls someone with a disability, especially MS, lazy… I don’t judge Kerry and I have defended Farida before because she has faced unfair criticism, but be honest, you can’t call someone with MS lazy. Are you kidding me?” You think the scooter is there for fun or what…
“Farida doesn’t seem like a very nice person, saying that about someone with MS is horrible, every time some of the housemates talk she takes over every time…
“Not Farida calls Kerry who has MS lazy… Not Farida calls Kerry lazy when she has MS… Farida clearly doesn’t understand what MS is or how it affects the body. So ignorant when talking about Kerry #BBUK…
“Not that Farida is talking about the woman living with MS being lazy in the diary room…Farida complaining about Kerry, a woman with MS, being ‘lazy’ is not a good look…Farida calling Kerry , who suffers from MS, is “lazy”. was actually so out of order…
“How is Kerry lazy, she has MS!” As for Kerry working her mouth, I don’t know how dare Farida get involved in everyone’s business and constantly yell at people! #bbuk… Farida knows Kerry has MS???..
GROSS: Farida and Kerry were both evicted on Friday night’s show after clashing multiple times – with Kerry expressing disdain for Farida’s online makeup business and Farida being annoyed by Kerry’s work ethic
“Why is she being shamed for not doing physical tasks? …Dearest Farida, Kerry has MS.”
However, other users reacted with the words: “What?!” You all come into big brother’s house as equals, so you all have to help. I understand Kerry’s MS, but Farida has barely talked about Kerry’s disabilities…
“Regardless of the person, I would expect them to help as much as possible…Kerry is capable of doing more than equality means we shouldn’t infantilise people with MS, no one is asking her to do more than that, whatever their disability allows.” allowed…
“But she mostly complains, gets angry and starts dramas. Farida is just being honest and Kerry is hiding her true feelings.”
Farida and Kerry were both evicted on Friday night’s show after clashing on multiple occasions – with Kerry expressing his disdain for Farida’s online makeup business and Farida being annoyed by Kerry’s work ethic.
Viewers watched in delight on Thursday as Farida, 50, and Kerry, 40, struggled through another awkward interaction.
During the exchange, Muslim makeup artist Farida discussed her work online, where she offers beauty tips to thousands of followers. Only for Kerry to interrupt, unimpressed, and ask, “To watch you?”
A defiant Farida replied: “Yes!” My videos are all going viral. “I’ve got 300, 400,000 views on one video alone.” Kerry feigned interest before throwing her head back in frustration and letting out a sigh.
Fights: The duo have been at odds since entering the house and now fans are ‘disappointed’ they will miss out on seeing the ‘iconic’ pair continue to clash as one is sent home (Kerry in Picture)
New faces: Presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best opened the launch show on ITV after the reality show was canceled by Channel 5 in 2018, introducing a new group of 16 contestants
BIG BROTHER 2023: LEARN THE PARTICIPANTS!
JENKIN
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: Barman
FROM: Bridgend
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? “Loud and chaotic and probably irritating.”
TOM
AGE: 21
OCCUPATION: Butcher
FROM: Somerset
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “I think I could potentially offend some people. “My mouth moves faster than my brain.”
TRISH
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Housewife
FROM: Luton
What would you do with the prize money if you won? “I think my first priority is to sort out my living situation. The housing crisis is just ridiculous and my housing situation was unstable. It gives me a lot of guilt as a mother because I have a small child. It’s my biggest incentive and my biggest motivation to win.”
JORDAN
AGE: 25
PROFESSION: Lawyer
FROM: Scunthorpe
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “I’m argumentative and act like I don’t want to be there, even when I do in my heart.” Maybe they nominate me because I’m uninterested or because I don’t give everyone equal attention. You may feel left out, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’
DYLAN
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: DJ
FROM: Coventry
TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: “I appeared on a TV show about amputees called The Last Leg – two years before I lost my leg!”
NOKY
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Bank clerk
OUT: Derby
Why did you apply to be a Big Brother Housemate? “I love challenges. I’ve had so many great moments in my life, like winning Miss Universe as Miss Great Britain. I like doing something different and think this is the next challenge I want to tackle. I want to show people what beauty girls are really like and refute many stereotypes around them. I also show what it’s like to be a woman who has worked in male-dominated fields. “I want to show that women are capable of doing anything they want.”
PAUL
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: Security officer
FROM: Liverpool
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “Being the tallest, eating all the food, and being the loudest roommate.”
OLIVIA
AGE: 23
PROFESSION: Dancer
FROM: Glasgow
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “I think if people are that hungry, I’ll finish people off and finish them off. I think they will nominate me for my comprehensiveness, my brutal honesty and my excessive expression of opinions.’
FARIDA
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Make-up artist
FROM: Wolverhampton
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself: “People are always surprised when I say I got married at 43. Or that I am a former holiday representative on Gran Canaria and Menorca.”
HALLIE
AGE: 18
OCCUPATION: Youth worker
From London
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “Be lazy and have an opinion.” I’m quite opinionated, I like to express my opinion and not many people like that. I’m very real.’
YINRUN
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: Customer service representative
FROM: Harrogate
What part of the experience are you most looking forward to? “What I enjoy most is being surrounded by so many people from different walks of life. I don’t think I’ll ever live in a house with so many different people again. “I’m from China and I think it will help me delve deeper into British culture.”
CHANELLE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Dental therapist
FROM: Llanelli
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “Probably just because I’m annoying.” There’s this saying in Wales: “I’ll do it in a minute.” For example, if I were preparing food and left a dish next to it, I would have good intentions to wash it up but would say, “I’ll do that in a minute,” and it might be three hours later before I do it. So probably for stupid things like that.’
ZAK
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Model
FROM: Manchester
What would you do with the prize money if you won? “Pay off my debts and help my family.” I also saved up to build a park in my home village in Thailand because there are no parks or playgrounds where I grew up.”
MATTY
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Doctor
FROM: Isle of Man
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? “They would say I’m a happy person or someone who really wants to live life to the fullest and do everything it has to offer. Someone who is friendly and fun and doesn’t take life too seriously.”
HENRY
AGE: 25
PROFESSION: Food writer
FROM: Cotswolds
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? “I think you would say that I am particularly outgoing and very talkative. I mean, I’ll be honest, my parents would definitely say I’m a bit of a snob, but I take that as a compliment. I think that means you have high standards and good taste. They would say I’m quite a strange child.’
Kerry
AGE: 40
OCCUPATION: NHS manager
FROM: Essex
Why did you apply to be a housemate on Big Brother? “I love the program. For me it is the ultimate reality TV show of all time. I suffer from multiple sclerosis and that’s why I’ve never applied because I always saw these huge stairs crashing into the house. It just felt a bit out of reach because I was in a wheelchair for the first three years of my illness. When I saw it come back and was looking for real people from all walks of life, I thought: This is my year.”