Celebrity Big Brother

Anne Widdecombe is a dreadful snob and I think her remark re IKEA really showed her lack of good manners.

In my opinion, she is not a "bit of a character" or a nice, harmless little old lady. Look at quotes from previous interviews that she has given:

"Take, for example, the issue of single parents. Whenever a Tory mentions single parents, we are accused of scapegoating. Nonsense.

"Sometimes, the children miraculously turn out OK. But in a lot of cases they grow up dysfunctional, turn to drugs and crime and then repeat the same wretched pattern.

"In our day, to become pregnant before marriage was a disaster, not just for the stigma but because the girl didn't have a roof and you didn't have a breadwinner.

"Now, the State supplies the roof and the State is the breadwinner."

Widdecombe's answer to this situation is to provide "mother and baby homes" of the kind run by Catholic pro-life organisations. [They have a great record don't they]

"If I had been Ruth [Kelly], I would have resigned over the Catholic gay adoption issue. And I don't understand Blair's actions and his faith. There is no doubt he was a huge Catholic sympathiser. But he never once took a pro-life line on abortion."

This was the woman who condoned women prisoners being shackled whilst they were in labour.

Oh Devorgilla your sympathy for those who “can only afford IKEA “is touching - but misplaced!

I know many people on not inconsiderable incomes who swear by Billy bookcases and the like including other items with less pronounceable names and they are NOT the section of the population you need to feel sorry for!
Save your sympathy for those who cannot afford a home of their own let alone furniture

I can only afford Ikea stuff, and luckily enough Anne Widdecomes views don't figure largely in my choice of furnishings. Actually, I've only recently even been able to afford Ikea stuff!

I completely agree with malika who said India was playing the victim, some of the housemates could be quite interesting, if they could get a word in, I do hope this doesn't turn out to be the India flashing boobs show!

I find Ann very intresting, far more so than the housemate who sat and described how she shit on someone's sofa. Ann's face said it all. It summed up what I felt about it. I must say I am enjoying watching her.

I love Ikea and wasn't at all offended by AW's opinion!
I once bought a lovely jacket out of M&S, three quarter, silky black with embroidery and a funfur collar. A couple of weeks later Cilla Battersby on Corrie was wearing the exact same jacket! Now that did make me cross!! lols x

Devo, I do understand your concerns for IKEA shoppers but I just think Widdie like all of us is free to express her likes and dislikes . I am sure IKEA shoppers would consider Widdie staid and old fashion

I have replayed the clip of her entry AB and while you are correct she does not specifically say that anyone who likes IKEA is ghastly, her obvious distaste of the furnishings is clear. Someone, or a team of people, chose that decor and IMO she is expressing her dislike of that IKEA, and their, taste. I am merely expressing my opinion that her obvious distaste for it could be hurtful to people who can only afford IKEA and now feel their taste has been rubbished on TV. But I concede that I am probably being too sensitive to the feelings of the IKEA consumers in society.

Did she say anyone who likes IKEA is ghastly Devo?

AB, I think you are astute enough to know there is a difference between saying you hate red and then going on to qualify it by saying anyone who likes red is ghastly. That moves the statement beyond a simple disagreement of opinion to something deeper. However, thee and me interpret how Ann expressed her opinion of the furnishings differently so will have to agree to differ.

So we shouldn't say I hate the colour red for fear someone may be wearing the colour? She is not a politician Devo, why not say what she likes or doesn't like, I expect many wouldn't choose Sanderson

I didn't say it was wrong AB. It was for me the rather dismissive way she did it. I think she gave the impression your taste was pretty horrendous if you chose IKEA. "Look at those ghastly tables." Well, those 'ghastly' tables' are often what people can afford and think they are doing well to be able to do so. I think you can express your view without hurting feelings.

But is it wrong to say one doesn't like something ? Many her age wouldn't choose IKEA

I have to say her reaction to the decor let her down a bit in my eyes, although so typical of her speaking her mind. A lot of people buy IKEA because it is affordable and a good starter for young people with their first home. I think she could have been a little more sensitive to what ordinary people can afford. Having said that, I think she will be in for a while as she is good viewing material.

I hope she is there untill the end of the series Glamma ? I met her when she was cavassing for the 1993 election, she was so the same as she is on tv, I think she is great, I still have a giggle thinking of her entry into the house - oh IKEA, I have Sandersons

India seems to be more concerned with her sexuality than the housemates do and can possibly see her being voted off soon because of it,I can't believe a grown person would not accept an apology so sincerely given by Amanda,I wonder if the men are going to be as PC as they should be.
Anniebach Are you enjoying it still I think Widdie may be in for a while yet if you remember she did have quite a good following on SCD.

Yes, I too have tuned in this year specifically because Anne was in it. She is not my political flavour but I have always liked her forthright manner. Rachel, Amanda and Maggie are an added bonus and I think they will all bring the wisdom of age and experience to the house. I would love to see a good political debate start off and the sparks fly. Given that India stopped dead in its tracks the one about women bishops I can't see it happening. Thought India was very rude zipping her mouth to warn the others not to allow Anne to express her views. Very controlling. Not warmed to India at all. I will watch until Anne goes, and only after if Rachel, Amanda and Maggie make it worthwhile. Agree that India comes over as an attention seeker.

I cannot warm to India, could be wrong but she is overdoing the hurt , sensitive , picked on victim. Pity no man with a brain in there so far,

Come on Anne

I just switched on after seeing all you enjoying it Seen a male to female transgender having a hissy fit of drama then another male or female with their dress on the ground showing a bare bum not at all sure what I make of it
Don’t recognise many faces no lover of Anne Widdecombe or Amanda but I do like a John Barnes and Shane Lynch except he’s gone a bit mad on the neck tats since I last saw him and they’re very unattractive can’t see me watching to many episodes

Loving Ann, really enjoying the programme so far. Dislike India I think she is a moany attention seeker.
Rachel is definatly goading Ann.

I would like it to have been all women, suppose they want to bring sex into it, the younger girls and seems several young men.

Doubt Anne will be in for very long, the reason I starting watching. Damn just started and already the men are talking rather smutty - or do I mean smuttily ?

I haven't watched it for years but tuned in too yesterday, on the basis that I thought it was going to be women only marking the centenary of women getting the vote, albeit in a limited way. I'm interested in some of the housemates particularly Maggie (female) detective, Anne, Rachel and Amanda. Now I gather men are coming in. The original concept when it was first shown was groundbreaking tv. and of late I gather it became more tawdry with couples having sex Hope that doesn't happen with this one, personally I'm not interested in becoming a voyeur. I have faith that Anne will do her best to make sure reasonable standards are upheld, assuming she stays in long enough.

I do enjoy watching Anne's face when she disaproves, the night she went in saw the furniture and decor and said in disgust - Ikea ?

I’m watching too. Marika (or something similar!) looks a bit lost when anything political is discussed. Ann W is acting as if she is decades older than Amanda, but I do like her forthright answers!

Oops posted too soon - wanted to say that I enjoy watching Anne Widdicombe's facial expressions when she disapproves of the content of conversations