Big Brother UK recently removed and re-edited the Tuesday, October 22, 2024, episode over a contestant’s T-shirt. Ali Bromley is one of the housemates who wore a black T-shirt featuring a watermelon symbol shaped like the map of Israel and Palestine — an image associated with pro-Palestinian solidarity. This incident followed ITV’s decision to remove the episode from their streaming platform, ITVX, and re-upload it after censoring the symbol from Bromley’s T-shirt.
The edit was driven by complaints from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a UK-based advocacy group. In a post on X, they argued that the symbol could be interpreted as a call for the elimination of Israel. Following the backlash, ITV clarified that the implications of the symbol were not fully recognized in their bag checks and acknowledged that the contestant did not intend to offend. The decision by Big Brother producers has led to mixed reactions online. Some fans expressed disappointment over the censorship; others supported the edit as a responsible choice in a delicate media landscape.
Everything About Ali Bromley’s Controversial T-Shirt
Ali Bromley’s T-shirt on Big Brother was a quiet symbol that made a big statement. The shirt, featuring a watermelon graphic shaped like Israel and its occupied territories, is part of the Freedom Melon Tee collection by the Wear the Peace brand. The brand is Palestine-owned and launched this special collection to donate all its profits to provide food, medical supplies, and other essentials in Gaza. The watermelon design isn’t new, either. Its colors mirror the Palestinian flag — red, green, white, and black. That’s why, over time, the fruit has come to stand for Palestinian resistance in a way that’s less about words and more about visuals.
The T-shirt itself gained viral traction earlier this year when Violet Affleck, daughter of Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, was spotted wearing it. This made the pro-Palestinian clothing line-up of Wear the Peace a trending topic. By the time Bromley appeared with the shirt on Big Brother, the watermelon image was well-recognized by both pro-Palestinian supporters and critics. That’s why it was seen as a quiet show of support during a highly sensitive time, especially considering the current conflict between Israel and Gaza.
What Does the ‘Big Brother’ Team Have to Say About This?
When the controversial moment involving Bromley’s T-shirt aired, Big Brother producers found themselves in hot water. The episode was removed immediately on Tuesday, October 22. Afterward, a spokesperson for Big Brother quickly clarified through The Independent that the team had no idea about it. According to the spokesperson, the production team thoroughly checks housemates’ personal items before they enter the house. Moreover, the source said that Big Brother and the housemate were “unaware of the implications of the image.”
The statement emphasized that Big Brother never intended to air offensive material and that Bromley expressed no ill intent when wearing the shirt. It was also added that any offensive messaging associated with the T-shirt’s image “did not reflect the values or beliefs of Big Brother.” They also apologized to viewers who may have been offended and assured them that the item of clothing had been removed from the house altogether. With the shirt removed, and an apology issued, Big Brother is moving forward from the controversial incident.
Wear the Peace Calls Out ‘Big Brother’ After Their Censorship of Ali Bromley’s Shirt
While the Campaign Against Antisemitism submitted a formal complaint to Ofcom, accusing Big Brother of violating “broadcasting standards,” the team behind the T-shirt Wear the Peace had a very different reaction. In an Instagram post, the Palestinian-owned brand didn’t mince words, accusing the network of censorship. They were firm in their stance, writing, “Everything pisses them off except for the genocide.”
The post highlighted the removal and re-editing of Ali Bromley’s episode. The brand also encouraged those who own the shirt to continue wearing it “with pride” as a symbol of “solidarity with the rightful homeowners.” With its strong and unapologetic tone, Wear the Peace emphasizes that it stands for Palestinian rights and free expression. This reaction brought a wave of support from their followers, who echoed the sentiment that removal was unjust.
The British Jewish community considers the watermelon symbol a genocidal message that is directed towards the end of the world’s only Jewish state. Also, the CAA clarified in their post on X that the symbol caused “significant distress among the British Jewish community.” This incident highlights the complexities of censorship in entertainment. The bold comments of CAA and Wear the Peace showcase that reality shows must always navigate the fine line between entertainment and activism.
Big Brother UK is available to stream on ITV.