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CELEBRITY Big Brother fans have stayed true to their word - issuing a slew of complaints to Ofcom over a "needlessly cruel" moment.

ITV viewers had threatened to contact the broadcasting watchdog over one particular scene just days before the live final.

CBB fans have flooded Ofcom with complaints over one particular scene
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CBB fans have flooded Ofcom with complaints over one particular sceneCredit: Rex
It came after Bradley Riches was booted out in a back door eviction
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It came after Bradley Riches was booted out in a back door evictionCredit: Eroteme
He looked visibly upset during the 'cruel' scenes - with 210 fans contacting the broadcasting watchdog
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He looked visibly upset during the 'cruel' scenes - with 210 fans contacting the broadcasting watchdogCredit: Eroteme

It centred on Bradley Riches, 22, being told he would be secretly evicted by the backdoor by host AJ Odudu, 36 - while the rest of his Celebrity Big Brother co-stars enjoyed sweet visits from their loved ones.

Fans didn't think this was fair after the Heartstopper star had spent weeks apart from his family and friends and him appearing visibly upset when waiting in the communal garden for what he believed was a treat.

More than 200 viewers have now issued a complaint about the March 24 episode.

A total of 210 worried fans remarked on the scenes, listed on Ofcom's official complaints website.

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It is the only complained-about show for that week, for the period between March 19 to March 25, showing the true strength of feeling from CBB fans.

They stayed true to their claims after flooding X with their comments just minutes after he was given the boot.

At the time, one fan wrote: "Hellooooo Ofcom! AJ Odudu x Bradley."

A second put: "Yall gonna wake up to so much Ofcom complaints tomorrow."

A third then put: "I need to talk with the people of Ofcom because that eviction was brutal."

Fan backlash

CBB star Bradley Riches reveals behind the scenes of shock exit

At the time, fans claimed the popular star had been "robbed" of his chance of show victory by the sneaky move.

After Bradley was told the sad news by host AJ on-air, AJ then informed the star: “Bradley, your stay in the Celebrity Big Brother house is over, you must return to the house, say your goodbyes and leave immediately."

They even booed host AJ during the live eviction show as they revealed their strength of feeling at the unexpected twist.

The following day, the winner of the revived Celebrity Big Brother was announced after five housemates remained in the house.

Fern Britton placed fifth, while Louis Walsh came fourth and admitted he had 'almost walked out' several times.

Coronation Street star Colson Smith placed third, leaving Nikita Kuzmin and David Potts as the last two standing.

Former Ibiza Weekender star David then went on to take the title.

It wasn't all bad news for Bradley, either, after his role in a West End play was revealed shortly after his exit from the London compound.

Who has won Celebrity Big Brother?

THE first Celebrity Big Brother aired in March 2001 on Channel 4.

Roll on 23 years and a switch to Channel 5 in 2011, CBB is now into its 23rd season and is being hosted for the first time by ITV.

Here's who has won the coveted title so far:

Season 1 (2001): Comedian Jack Dee beat actress Claire Sweeney despite walking out of the house and evading security for about an hour. The series was also more memorable for Vanessa Feltz telling Big Brother to "f*** off" after chalking “incarcerated”, “ambushed” and “restricted” on the table.

Season 2 (2002): Take That favourite Mark Owen triumphed over TV host Les Dennis. The latter won over the sympathy of the audience after his marriage breakdown to wife Amanda Holden.

Season 3 (2005): Maraca shaking Bez walked out the winner ahead of Blazin' Squad's Kenzie. The Happy Mondays star scooped the £50,000 and went on 10-hour bender, blowing the cash.

Season 4 (2006): This was the season when Big Brother really mixed things up - by sending in a non-celebrity from fictional band Kandy Floss. However, Chantelle Houghton won over viewers and housemates alike and was crowned the winner. During her time in the house she found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston. There was also added drama when George Galloway pretended to be Rula Lenska's pet cat

Season 5 (2007): Actress Shilpa Shetty won after being caught up in a racism bullying row with former BB contestant Jade Goody, model Danielle Lloyd, and S Club's Jo O'Meara

Season 6 (2009): Ulrika Jonsson beat Terry Christian, but controversy came in the form of rapper Coolio who was slammed by viewers as misogynistic, however he finished in third spot.

Season 7 (2010): Alex Reid beat Dane Bowers and Vinnie Jones with a huge 65% of the vote. Alex married Katie Price one month later.

Season 8 (2011): In the first series to air on Channel 5, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty was the unexpected winner, beating singer Kerry Katona.

Season 9 (2012): Loose Women star Denise Welch triumphed over X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza, after stripping off while drunk and jumping into the hot tub topless.

Season 10 (2012): Comedian Julian Clary got the nod in the vote over Coleen Nolan.

Season 11 (2013): The X Factor's Rylan Clark beat couple Heidi Montag
Spencer Pratt, who were competing as "one entity" and known as Speidi.

Season 12 (2013): Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby beat 5ive singer Abz Love

Season 13 (2014): Jim Davidson won after a blazing row with Linda Nolan. N-dubz Dappy took second spot.

Season 14 (2014): Gary Busey - who chose to roam around the CBB house naked - beat boxer Audley Harrison.

Season 15 (2015): Katie Price won the battle of the Katies as she saw off controversial Katie Hopkins in the final. The biggest talking point was American blogger's Perez Hilton's raging row with Calum Best, but the series also saw two early ejections of Jeremy Jackson and Ken Morley.

Season 16 (2015): Apprentice star James Hill beat model Austin Armacost. Tila Tequila was evicted on just the second day after she was found to have posted support for Adolf Hitler on social media.

Season 17 (2016): Geordie Shore's Scotty T won after sharing a kiss with  fellow housemate Tiffany Pollard. Stephanie Davis was runner-up.

Season 18 (2016): Stephen Bear won the show despite a huge row with radio star James Whale. Ricky Norwood placed second but this season saw Christopher Biggins ejected from the house after making an anti-Semitic joke.

Season 19 (2017): Coleen Nolan entered the CBB house for a second time - and this time came out the winner beating Jedward. During her second stint she had a massive showdown with horse star John McCririck.

Season 20 (2017): It was the battle of the reality show singers in the final, with  Popstars: The Rivals winner and Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding beating The X Factor's Amelia Lily.

Season 21 (2018): Courtney Act, otherwise known as Shane Jenek, won with politician Ann Widdecombe runner-up.

Season 22 (2018): Winning Dancing On Ice in 2024, was not Ryan Thomas's first reality show title. He won the CBB title in 2018, after a shocking "run-in" with Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallet, who falsely accused him of punching her. Actress Kirstie Alley came second.

Bradley was booted out ahead of the live final
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Bradley was booted out ahead of the live finalCredit: Eroteme
Fans went on to boo host AJ Odudu after the controversial decision
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Fans went on to boo host AJ Odudu after the controversial decisionCredit: Eroteme
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