Shilpa was victim of racism: Jade

Disgraced reality TV star Jade Goody has confessed that she had made racist comments against Shilpa Shetty on

Celebrity Big Brother

even as the fate of the show hung in balance with the board of Channel 4 meeting on Monday to discuss whether it should be axed after the present series ends this week.

Goody, 25, told the News of the World in an interview published today, "I'm not a racist, but I accept I made racist comments. I don't see people for the colour that they are, or where they come from.

"I'm mixed race myself and I speak to everyone of every colour, background and nationality. I don't care about where people are from."

To a pointed question whether Shilpa was a victim of racism and bullying, the foul-mouthed Goody said, "she was a victim of bullying and racism, yes. I can understand why she would have said that (at the height of the tension Shilpa told Cleo she thought Goody was racist).

Asked what she has to say to the Indian community, Goody said, "I do want to sincerely apologise to anybody of any ethnic region or any race - white, black, Indian or anything else. I'm so sorry."

Meanwhile, several members of the board - chaired by Luke Johnson - former head of Pizza Express, now believe last week's allegations of racism have so discredited the show that it is doing immense harm to the channel and damaging race relations, the Sunday Times said.

First Published: Jan 21, 2007 19:53 IST