Entertainment
Big Brother star reveals he’s received ‘death threats’ after being accused of homophobia-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro
He’s previously been slammed for ‘vile’ behaviour.
Big Brother finalist Marcello Spooks has said he’s received death threats (Picture: Shutterstock for Big Brother)
Big Brother finalist Marcello Spooks has revealed he’s received death threats after being accused of making and allegedly liking homophobic comments on social media.
The controversial housemate, who had been reported to Ofcom after ‘misogynistic’ comments and ‘predatory’ behaviour, came second to Ali Bromley on the ITV reality series.
The 34-year-old youth mentor, who had been revealed to have links to fame, has now addressed some of the messages he’s received after allegations against him.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Since leaving the house I’ve received messages telling me to kill myself, that my career will never go anywhere, that I’m a misogynist, homophobic and all the rest of it.
‘I am going to say this now to be clear. I have nothing but love and respect for every single person in this world and do not judge anyone.
‘Race, religion, sexual orientation, whatever it is, I treat all people how I would want to be treated, with understanding, love and respect.
‘Thankfully I am strong and shake my head at everyone trying to put me down, I know myself and nothing you say is going to change that.’
Marcello was also accused of misogynistic comments in the house (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Shutterstock)
He took to Instagram with a lengthy statement (Picture: Instagram)
Marcello went on: ‘I showed love and supported everyone equally throughout the experience and I wouldn’t change a thing.
‘I wish love and blessings onto all of you. For everyone showing me love, I see it all. Thank you.’
This comes after viewers have accused Marcello of liking two homophobic comments made by the same person on his Instagram posts.
The first one, which appears to have been deleted, allegedly read: ‘ITV has got a agenda as stake. Look at all the previous winners all gay ?? Something suspicious going on.’
Ali won Big Brother (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Shutterstock for)
Marcello came in second place (Picture: REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
Several X users claimed Marcello had liked the comment, and a second one has now emerged, with people accusing him of liking one that read: ‘Yo g your the winner bro there playing there LGBT agenda so they let the homos win.’
The comment, by Instagram user @joeg_btc, is still on Marcello’s post, but the alleged like has been removed.
While he was still in the house, Big Brother producers were accused of covering up homophobia after evicted housemate Dean claimed Marcello used offensive language.
Speaking during an Instagram Live, Dean revealed that, during Halloween Week, Marcello coined a nickname for him, as he was dressed up as Frankenstein’s monster, calling him ‘Campenstein’.
Dean said Big Brother called him into the Diary Room to check he was ok, and also alleged other housemates, members of the ‘core’ group, were repeatedly making jibes like, ‘this is gay’ or ‘that’s gay’.
Dean claimed Marcello used offensive language (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Shutterstock)
During Late and Live after being evicted, Dean, 35, had ripped into Marcello, having described him as ‘everything I hate about people on the outside’ with his ‘toxic masculinity’.
Doubling down on those comments, he told hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best: ‘‘In the beginning, I was like, “Oh, he’s really genuine; he’s actually a nice guy,” but as time went on, he started making misogynistic comments about women.’
As an example, he claimed: ‘One of the comments was, “What’s there to do in Amsterdam? The women!”‘ This was not aired, though.
‘Now, for me, you don’t treat women like that; that’s disgusting,’ Dean stated, thanking the studio audience for applauding him.
‘Then he started making some homophobic comments…’ Dean then began.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
But host AJ was quick to interject, telling him: ‘He clearly had said some things that rubbed you up the wrong way…’
Marcello had also been slammed for ‘vile’ behaviour after lying about kissing Ali in the smoking area, where he told other housemates they had ‘vape-kissed’.
Ali, who is a lesbian and has a girlfriend, stressed it wasn’t true, with Marcello then laughing: ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry. We didn’t kiss; I’m joking.’
She later confronted him, saying: ‘You’re trying to ruin my life,’ to which he responded: ‘You came in the smokers’ room! You knew what you were doing.’
The incident sparked Ofcom complaints and it was also highlighted that Ali’s experience ‘perfectly reflected the fetishisation, invalidation, and sheer distress that lesbians and queer women face at the hands of straight men every single day’.
At another point, Marcello told housemate Sarah that she smelled like ‘periods and teabags’ and asked if it was ‘her time of the month’.
Big Brother is available to watch on ITVX.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More