Jack P Shepherd's former Coronation Street co-star Nicola Thorp has spoken out on his lack of screentime on Celebrity Big Brother so far.
The David Platt actor is appearing on the current season of the reality show, though much of the series has been dominated by Mickey Rourke, who has sparked a backlash over his use of homophobic terminology towards JoJo Siwa.
Mickey has since received a formal warning from Big Brother over his use of "offensive" and "unacceptable" language, and has also been called out by fans around his behaviour towards host AJ Odudu on the launch show.
Speaking on Lorraine yesterday morning, Thorp discussed the controversy alongside host Christine Lampard and Lucie Cave, and called for Celebrity Big Brother to give more screentime to others such as Jack.
"We've not even seen some of the characters... Jack Shepherd, we've hardly seen Jack, I know Jack," she said, having starred as Nicola Rubinstein alongside him on the ITV soap.
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"He's amazing, he's such a party animal and an incredible character, so I'm surprised that we've not seen much of him. But I do think he'll do well, he's a very likeable guy, so it wouldn't surprise me if we actually saw a lot more of him towards the end."
Since the discussion was broadcast, Jack was confirmed as one of the three housemates up for eviction tonight alongside Mickey and Michael Fabricant after receiving the most votes from fellow housemates, with Mickey being given the Killer Nomination by JoJo.
The Wrestler actor was reprimanded by Big Brother earlier this week, who told him in the Diary Room: "Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable.
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"As a result, Big Brother is giving you a formal warning. Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house. Mickey, do you understand?"
He then responded: "I apologise. I don’t have dishonourable intentions. I’m just talking smack, you know. I wasn’t taking it all so serious. I didn’t mean in it any bad intentions and if I did, sorry."
Celebrity Big Brother airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
