Celebrity Big Brother 2015: Outrage over inclusion of 'Nazi sympathiser' Tila Tequila on Channel 5 show

Contestant: Tequila (Picture: Getty)
Ian Gavan/Getty Image
Rachel Blundy28 August 2015
The Weekender

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Anti-racism campaigners have called on Channel 5 to remove a "Nazi" contestant from Celebrity Big Brother over her anti-Semitic rants on social media.

Thien Thanh Thi Nguyen, who goes by the stage name Tila Tequila, has previously sparked outrage for her controversial views.

In posts on Facebook, the 33-year-old reality television star has claimed she is Adolf Hitler reincarnated, describing him as a "special and sweet kid" who grew up into a "brilliant artist".

She also posted a Photoshopped picture of herself standing in front of Auschwitz concentration camp while holding a gun and wearing a Nazi armband and hat.

Outspoken: Tequila Ian West/PA
Ian West/PA

Despite her bizarre idolisation of Hitler, she insisted she "loved" Jewish people and once tried to convert to Judaism - but was rejected by faith leaders.

Her Facebook profile has been temporarily suspended at least eight times by the social network for a series of similarly offensive posts.

The Campaign against Anti-Semitism has launched an online petition calling for Tequila to be removed from the Channel 5 show.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, campaign spokesman, said: “The British public has little time for attention seeking Nazi sympathisers like ‘Tila Tequila’.

"Channel 5 and Endemol Shine UK ought to be ashamed of themselves for promoting such a deeply offensive and nasty person on prime time television.

Offensive opinions: Tila Tequila
Facebook

"Her repulsive writings on the Hitler, the Holocaust and on Jewish people make her a totally unacceptable participant for this programme.

Celebrity Big Brother Housemates 2015

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"Channel 5 ought to remove her immediately from the programme, and apologise fully for their enormous error of judgement. She should then be given the exact amount of public attention as she deserves: none.”

He added: “The undeniable facts and horrors of the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jewish people were systematically murdered, should be remembered by us all, as decent human beings. It is our responsibility to teach the next generation of this darkest chapter of our history so as to help them form a fairer future.”

A spokeswoman for Channel 5 confirmed it was investigating the comments made by Tequila.

She said: "These comments did not come to the attention of Channel 5 or Endemol UK prior to this contestant's entry into the Big Brother house. We are currently investigating these comments."

When approached for comment by the Evening Standard, a representative for Tequila said: "Tila being on the show is irresponsible. Tila is a changed person since having her baby. She was in a bad place back then and she has admitted that and has apologized for her erratic behavior in the past."

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