Omar finally addresses ‘toxic’ behaviour towards Rhianna on Big Brother after 22,000 Ofcom complaints

Big Brother contestant Omar has spoken out for the first time about his treatment of Rhianna saw Women’s Aid call for increased safeguarding to be added to the series.

Omar was given an on-air warning for his ‘toxic’ behaviour towards Rhianna, with his response leading to even more criticism as he claimed he had ‘done nothing but try and accommodate her and reassure her’ when it was suggested by Big Brother that he had been dismissing her feelings.

Multiple exchanges between the pair, who started a relationship on the ITV show, raised concerns, including moments when he told her ‘not to cry’ and ‘not to talk about him’.

It resulted in 22,499 Ofcom complaints, the largest ever amount directed at a specific Big Brother contestant.

The pair split up on the show in quite dramatic fashion, and Omar was later sent packing from the Big Brother house in an eviction last night (4 November).

The housemate has now addressed the concerns regarding his behaviour, stating that ‘there were times he was a bit nasty’, but adding that this was not ‘his intention’.

Appearing on ITV’s Big Brother: The Group Chat, the 21-year-old was interviewed by GK Barry and Kate Lawler with presenter Kate telling him she found multiple scenes in the house uncomfortable to watch.

He admitted that the relationship had ‘highs and lows’, adding: “At the end of the day we are navigating a relationship on telly... There was a point where I’ve literally sat down and I was like, ‘oh my days, I’m in a relationship’.

“We did argue a lot, but there were also great times. I think, overall, at times where I was a bit nasty – and I didn’t mean to be that way – that wasn’t my intention.”

Omar said he felt there was ‘miscommunication’ between himself and Rhianna, adding that there were times he was trying to communicate something but it ‘didn’t come out the right way’.

“But we did have loads of conversations, loads of interventions, like, daily, we’d always speak about things, and we really did iron it out,” he added.

The 21-year-old claimed that we ‘never saw that side of things’ when he claimed issues between himself and his now-ex were ironed out by the end of the show.

He acknowledged he could learn from the experience, finally adding: “Definitely being more open to understand, being more open to listen and really just giving everyone a chance and taking in everyone’s point of view.

“At the end of the day, life isn’t just one perspective, it isn’t just my perspective in life. It’s not only my world and the way I see it. It’s not say all, do all, be all.

“But sometimes I feel like the way I am as a person, and the way I come across, is, ‘yeah, everything I say is say all, do all, be all’, but that’s not how I am and that’s not how I see myself.”

A spokesperson for ITV previously told LADbible: “All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectations for appropriate behaviour and language.

“Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately.

“Welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production, with a dedicated welfare team available to support Housemates before, during and after their time in the House.”

Survivor-led charity Women’s Aid released a statement on Omar’s behaviour after scenes went viral and saw the most complaints ever for a single individual in Big Brother history.

They called it ‘worrying’, adding: “Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe. The women in these programmes are real people and need real support.”