Gorilla Pete gives Traci a mauling

Perhaps he was feeling a bit out of sorts after police seized his so-called gorilla coat.

Trout-lipped transvestite Dead Or Alive singer Pete Burns dramatically raised the temperature on Big Brother with a spectacular, unprovoked attack on housemate Traci Bingham.

In 10 minutes he reduced the former Baywatch star to tears, calling her a "bitch", saying everything she stood for was "repulsive" and suggesting she only ever got parts because of the size of her breasts.

"You're a dumbo," said Burns. "You're an LA whore. Do you think when you go for casting anyone sees past your knockers?

"At 50 you'll be a wreck. The parts are going to dry up and you are going to be devastated - and I don't just mean the acting parts!" Hardly an aspect of her being went untouched, from her supposedly Californian attitudes to the way she smiled.

When Burns had finished, he walked over to the other housemates to crow about his victory over the hapless actress. His diatribe drew a welter of criticism on internet forums. One viewer called him a "nasty, bullying, bitter, twisted, f***ed up freak."

Traci - one of three contestants up for eviction, along with Rula Lenska and Maggot - kept her cool until Burns flounced out. Then she burst into tears.

Earlier the show's producers made Burns hand over his coat and passed it on to Hertfordshire police, warning him that he could face prison if it was made from the skin of an endangered species.

Experts examined the coat and police announced it was not made from gorilla fur, despite the singer's claims. Wildlife officer Sgt Jamie Bartlett said: "We are not looking at offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations."