Fat chance

Did you see him on the news?

14 stone of fat and gristle (nearly 90 kilos, or 98 kilos depending on where you read the story) at a mere eight years of age (or seven... depending on where you read the story).

Young Connor McCreadie could have a promising career as a sumo wrestler ahead of him if only he could manage to walk more than five minutes without getting out of breath.

Maybe he fact that the lad can't resist a fry-up could be partly to blame.

"But Britain is full of fat kids!" I hear you cry. Well, yes... but not so fat that the social services are called to see whether letting a child stuff himself with unhealthy food is tantamount to child abuse and therefore a case for withdrawal of parental custody (or putting the child into care).

Apparently he has already broken four beds and five bicycles!

Despite the outcry, Connor was given a second chance and spared the humiliation of being the first kid taken into care for being overweight... despite his mum refusing to put a lock on the fridge. She told the papers that she had tried to get him to eat "exotic fruit"...

...but apparently her son doesn't much care for bananas.

Here's what the papers said:

• The Northern Echo (before the decision)
• Daily Mirror
• Daily Mail
• The Guardian (after the decision)
• CBS News (US)

Or how about watching Connor and his mum try to talk their way out of it on:

• BBC News Video
• CNN Video (US) - not for weak stomachs!

Problems in class

Oh Brother! Jade Goody becomes a household name in India

Is classism the new racism in Britain?

Over the past few weeks the British tabloid press (and the quality press!) has worked itself into a frenzy regarding a series of spats in TV's Celebrity Big Brother house between various British D-list celebrity housemates (notably one Jade Goody) and Indian housemate Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood film star. Actually, a spat is probably the wrong word, as it normally involves attacks from both sides, not principally victimization of one party alone. The incident was made a little more painful for both victim and viewer when racist insults peppered the row. It was suggested that Shetty "couldn't speak English properly", should "go back home" and "visit the slums". Stronger language was also used, as documented by "family newspaper" the News of the World in one of their post-eviction Jade-baiting interviews.

Goody's mother (a self confessed petty crook and sometime drug abuser) - the curiously spelt Jackiey - also refused to pronounce Shetty's name correctly and insisted on calling her "the Indian" and "Princess".


Slanging matches between contestants in "reality shows" (and between Big Brother contestants in particular) is, of course, nothing new, and some cynics think that they are practically encouraged by TV producers in a bid for better ratings. Anyone who watched the last series of Gran Hermano in Spain will also have noticed a racist, sexist bigot among the contestants, but bar presenter Mercedes Milá and a few regulars on the daytime chat shows, most of Spain was not bothered, and the foul mouth of one Dani Rubio was not debated in parliament. Maybe Zapatero and Rajoy didn't want their own slanging match to be overshadowed.

Some commentators have pointed out that more than (or in addition to) racism, the "Jade vs Shilpa" incident smacked of classism. Whereas Shilpa Shetty was seen to be a polite, discreet, well-brought up young lady (and a good actress in all senses of the word) Jade Goody came across as an ignorant, rude, moody "mouthy bird".

Classy versus brassy.

Smart versus tart.

Whether Shilpa and Jade epitomise India or Britain is debatable, but an amusing reversal of the old colonialist (and racist) cliché was there for all to see - the well-spoken, intelligent and literate Indian triumphing over the primitive ignorance of the English.

Many also felt that Jade and her fellow "tormentors" were typical of 21st century British youth: an embarrassment.

It was also interesting that the three winners - fading Bollywood star Shetty, ex A-Team actor Dirk "Face" Benedict and has-been pop star (and brother of Michael) Jermaine Jackson - were all foreigners. The three contestants who were the least offensive were not British, but were the British audiences' favourites.

While Jade Goody is now Britain's number one social pariah.

Here's what the papers said about the racism/classism debate that was a fallout from the CBB episode:

• BBC News on Britain's class divide


• The Observer on Britain's class divide


• The Daily Telegraph on Jade Goody and "class hatred"


• The Sun attempts to address racism and classism post-BigBrother


• Anorak on the Sun's attempt to address racism and classism post-Big Brother


• The Los Angeles Times on Celebrity BB and its race/class repercussions