Police seize BB 'gorilla' coat

Pete in the famous coat.

11 April 2012

In the world of reality television, fact is always stranger than fiction. And today proceedings in the Big Brother House took an increasingly bizarre turn - as police raided the property to seize Pete Burns' "gorilla skin" coat.

Officers from the Hertfordshire constabulary arrived at the house around lunchtime today to demand that producers hand over the fur.

The raid came after police received hundreds of complaints from Channel 4 viewers, concerned that the Eighties' pop singer's coat was made from the skin of the endangered species. The police are now expected to test the coat to establish its origin.

A Big Brother spokesman said: "We have passed the coat to police for investigation and as such it is now a police matter."

Burns's coat has been the subject of much controversy. He and glamour model Jodie Marsh clashed after he claimed it was gorilla.

He said he was "thrilled" that it offended her, insisting: "I wish I had a sable coat and a chinchilla dressing gown and every other fur I could lay my hands on."

Biodiversity minister Jim Knight even warned Burns he could face "serious consequences", including jail, if his claims proved to be correct. Trading in endangered animal body parts carries a prison sentence of up to five years and an unlimited fine. Owning a gorilla skin without a permit is also illegal.

David Cowdrey of the World Wildlife Fund said today: "This sets a clear example that wearing endangered species is totally unacceptable. It is very unlikely that this coat is made from gorilla skin, it is more likely to be made from colobus monkeys. However the fact that Mr Burns was prepared to wear something allegedly made from gorilla is unacceptable."

Earlier, George Galloway discovered the cardinal rule of reality television: don't mess with Big Brother.

In particular, do not break the rules, for as sure as ratings are ratings, Big Brother will exact a terrible punishment.

Respect MP Galloway - along with singer Preston - learned his lesson after Faria Alam became the second housemate to be evicted. The two had broken house rules by discussing nominations and their punishment, Big Brother told them, was to be summoned to the diary room to nominate three housemates for eviction.

But Big Brother was not being entirely frank. Unbeknown to Galloway and Preston, as they declared their nominations - for Traci Bingham, Maggot and Rula Lenska - footage was streamed to the rest of the group. They were close to tears.

The first housemate to be nominated by Galloway was former Baywatch star Traci. "My reason would be that she created a very bad incident that need never have arisen," he said, referring to an earlier argument about race. Meanwhile a very bad incident was happening in the dining area, as Traci began to flit around the room in confusion.

Preston added: "She also ostracised herself from the group." The lead singer with the Ordinary Boys then picked Maggot, a rapper with Goldie Lookin' Chain. Finally, Galloway proposed actress Rula "on the basis she's trying too hard".

After Galloway and Preston left the room, they decided to tell the others they had simply been punished. But it was quickly revealed that their comments were heard. For the next hour they had their work cut out to appease Traci and Rula.

Rula said she was disappointed by Galloway. "This is a horrible situation for anyone," she added. Preston told Maggot he nominated him for the most stupid reason, but it "was fresh in my mind". Chantelle said this was the nastiest thing Big Brother had done.

At least former FA secretary Faria does not have to put up with that sort of thing any more.

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Police seize BB 'gorilla' coat

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