LONDON (AFP) - Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty was named the winner of British reality television show "Celebrity Big Brother", following a diplomatic storm over the racist bullying to which she was allegedly subjected.
Shetty was the favourite to win the programme, in which the activities of a group of celebrities living in a specially constructed house are televised round the clock by British broadcaster Channel Four.
Housemates were periodically evicted by viewers, who voted by telephone or text message. Shetty beat out five other finalists.
Among the comments made in last week's storm, Shetty was called a "dog" and asked whether she lives in a shack, prompting protestors in India to burn effigies of the show's producers.
British lawmakers lined up to condemn the programme when the row was at its height, while Indian officials urged their British counterparts to intervene.
The incident overshadowed a visit to India by Britain's finance minister and likely future prime minister, Gordon Brown.
Show producers sought out Shetty and reportedly paid her more than the others -- up to 350,000 pounds (686,000 dollars, 531,000 euros) -- to bring some Bollywood glamour to proceedings and attract viewers with south Asian roots.
She was the 1/6 favourite to win the competition, according to bookmakers William Hill, followed by former Jackson Five star Jermaine Jackson at 4/1. Shetty also beat out Ian Watkins, of pop band Steps, former Miss Great Britain Danielle Lloyd, and Dirk Benedict, alias Templeton "The Face" Peck from the 1980s US television show "The A-Team".
Shetty's main perceived tormentor, Jade Goody, was evicted by an overwhelming public vote last week, days after the controversy erupted following foul-mouthed exchanges.
Anupamaa
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