By Ciara Farmer For Mailonline
Published: 04:50 EDT, 13 October 2023 | Updated: 07:04 EDT, 13 October 2023 Coffee Table Book
Make-up artist Farida, 50, has come under fire for her 'insensitive' comments about NHS manager Kerry, 40, who has multiple sclerosis.
This week, the housemates on the show, which returned to screens on Sunday, were faced with a trial in which they worked for a fictional company chaired by Big Brother, with Big Wigs, Middle Management and Bottoms in hierarchal toles.
At the start of the trial, both Farida and Kerry, who are up for eviction on Friday night's show, were placed in the Middle Management category, however the former grumbled over reluctance to not muck in with the physical labour.
She later took aim at Kerry for not getting involved in the physicality of the tasks, such as tasks in the kitchen, leading to an explosion on X, formerly known as Twitter, as viewers grumbled over her 'reinforcing stereotypes over disabled people'.
Enraged viewers branded Farida 'out of order', 'disgusting' and 'ignorant' for her comments, writing: 'Nothing winds me up more than the lazy rhetoric. Don’t know the level of pain, fatigue etc a person is feeling at that moment in time'.
Hitting out: Make-up artist Farida, 50, has come under fire for her 'insensitive' comments about NHS manager Kerry, 40, who has multiple sclerosis
Heading off: Kerry has Multiple sclerosis (MS) - a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance
Rage: She later took aim at Kerry for not getting involved in the physicality of the tasks, such as tasks in the kitchen, leading to an explosion on X, formerly known as Twitter , as viewers grumbled over her 'reinforcing stereotypes over disabled people'
The NHS website states: 'Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
'It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, muscle stiffness and spasms, problems with balance and co-ordination and problems with thinking, learning and planning'.
During her visit to the diary room, Farida said: 'Kerry is the lazy one. No help with the washing up, drying, cutting or with the vegetables. Yeah she might be proud she's been promoted because she's even higher than Middle Management now...
'That title will make her feel extremely honoured however I hope it's full of counting and rather than working her mouth, working her mindset, her brain, her hands'.
Following her comments, shock rumbled online.
Viewers wrote: 'People somehow more annoyed by Kerry being Gemma Collins (which I guess is purely based on her being big and from Essex, so prejudice), but not by Farida being casually insulting about Kerry’s disabilities and physical issues...
'Did Farida just call a #MS sufferer lazy?!? #Ableism #BigBrother... Farida trying to turn everyone against Kerry for not helping with chores is the same sort of ableism that paints disabled people who can’t work as lazy. Absolutely gross...
'Like what are you contributing in terms of support or morale Farida? Yeah exactly #BBUK... Sure she isn’t chopping veg or cleaning but she is making sure everyone’s feeling emotionally supported and valued isn’t she... @bbuk
Emotion: Earlier in the episode Farida broke down in tears as she candidly opened up about her family and her religion
Split: Other viewers were more divided on the issue, with some defending Farida's remarks
'Farida needs to leave! Absolutely disgusting women and bullying someone with MS!!... Fair enough, but as a disabled person myself, nothing winds me up more than the lazy rhetoric. Don’t know the level of pain, fatigue etc a person is feeling...
'Farida calling someone with a disability, specifically MS lazy... I don't rate Kerry and I have defended Farida before because she's faced some unfair criticism but come ON you can't call someone with MS lazy are you joking me like do you think the scooter is for fun or what...
'Farida doesn't sound like a very nice person, to say that about someone with MS is horrible, everytime some of the house mates are talking she takes over every time...
'Not Farida calling Kerry who has MS lazy... Not farida calling kerry lazy when she has MS... Farida clearly doesn’t understand what MS is or how it affects the body. So ignorant when talking about Kerry #BBUK...
'Not Farida talking about the woman living with MS being lazy in the diary room... farida complaining that kerry, a woman with MS, is “lazy” is not a good look... Farida calling Kerry, who has MS, lazy was so out of order actually...
'How is Kerry lazy she has MS! And as for Kerry working her mouth I dunno how Farida dares she gets involved in everyone’s business constantly shouting over people! #bbuk... Farida does know Kerry has MS???..
Gross: Farida and Kerry have both been put up for eviction on Friday night's show, having clashed on a number of occasions - with Kerry showing disdain over Farida's online make-up business and Farida resenting Kerry's work ethic
'Why is she being shamed for not doing physical tasks??... Farida love, kerry has MS'.
Other users however hit back at the accusations, writing: 'What?! You all come into the big brother house as equals, so you're all going to have to chip in, I understand Kerry's MS but Farida was hardly talking about Kerry's disabilities...
'Regardless of the person I would expect them to help out as much as they can.... Kerry is capable of doing more tho equality means that we shouldn’t infantilise people with MS nobody is asking her to do more than what her disability allows...
'But she is mostly complaining/getting angry and starting dramas. Farida is just honest and Kerry hides her true feelings.'
Farida and Kerry have both been put up for eviction on Friday night's show, having clashed on a number of occasions - with Kerry showing disdain over Farida's online make-up business and Farida resenting Kerry's work ethic.
Viewers watched in delight on Thursday as Farida, 50, and Kerry, 40, struggled through yet another awkward interaction.
During the exchange Muslim make-up artist Farida discussed her work online where she offers beauty tips with thousands of followers tuning in. Only for unimpressed Kerry to interrupt and ask: 'To watch you?'.
A defiant Farida replied: 'Yeah! My video all go viral. I've got like 300, 400,000 views just on one video'. Kerry seemingly feigned interest before throwing back her head in frustration an letting out a sigh.
Struggles: TThe duo have not seen eye to eye since entering the house and now fans are 'gutted' they will miss out on seeing the 'iconic' pair continue to clash when one is sent home (Kerry pictured)
New faces: Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best kicked off the launch show on ITV, after the reality show was axed in 2018 by Channel 5, introducing a new batch of 16 contestants
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? 'Loud and messy, and irritating probably.'
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO GET NOMINATED FOR? 'I think I might potentially offend some people. My mouth moves faster than my brain.'
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO GET NOMINATED FOR? 'Being cantankerous and acting as if I don't want to be there even if I do in my heart. They might nominate me for being disengaged perhaps or not paying everyone an equal amount of attention. They may feel left out but I can't help that.'
WHAT MADE YOU APPLY TO BECOME A BIG BROTHER HOUSEMATE? 'I love challenges. I've had so many amazing times in my life, like going to Miss Universe as Miss Great Britain. I like to do something different and I think this is the next challenge I want to conquer. I want to show people what pageant girls are really like and disprove a lot of stereotypes around them. I also show what it's like being a woman who's worked in male- dominated fields. I want to show that women are capable of doing anything they want.'
WHAT PART OF THE EXPERIENCE ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? 'I’m most excited about being surrounded by so many people from different walks of life. I don't think I will ever live in a house again with so many different kinds of people. I’m from China and I think it will help me be more immersed in British culture.'
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? 'They would say I'm quite like a lucky person or someone who really wants to experience life to its fullest and do everything that it has to offer. Someone who is kind and fun and doesn't take life too seriously.'
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? 'I think they would say I'm particularly sociable and very chatty. I mean, I'll be honest, my parents would definitely say I’m a bit of a snob but I take it as a compliment. I think it means you've got high standards and good taste. They’d say I was quite a peculiar child.'
Modren Furniture WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO GET NOMINATED FOR? 'I think when people are in that hangry state, that's when I'll wind people up and grind their gears. I think they'll nominate me for being full on, and for my brutal honesty and oversharing of opinions.'