Goody to join Indian Big Brother

(Getty)

The reality television star Jade Goody, who was at the centre of last year's Celebrity Big Brother race row, is set to appear on the Indian version of the show.

In a further twist the programme will be presented by Shilpa Shetty, the Bollywood actress who was the target of Goody's alleged racist remarks.

The Sun reported that Goody is flying out to Mumbai where the show, which is known locally as Big Boss, is held. She will then enter the house on Sunday. It is rumoured that Goody is being paid £100,000 to take part.

Goody's actions on Celebrity Big Brother, which included mocking the way Shetty ate and referring to her as "Shilpa Poppadom", resulted in more than 50,000 complaints to television watchdog Ofcom, one of the more significant events in broadcaster Channel 4's history. The row subsequently led to street protests in India where effigies of Goody were burned.

Upon leaving the house Goody denied she was a racist but added that she had been "disgusted with herself". She later flew to India on a goodwill visit.

Shetty, who went on to win the show, told the Indian media that the UK experience would help her while presenting the series.

"I will be able to empathise with the people in the house better because I have been through the experience and I know what they will be going through at that point of time." She added: "I think it will be easier for me to relate to them."

Big Boss, which is far more conservative than its UK counterpart, is expected to last three months and will see 12 Indian celebrities take part.