Faryal Makhdoom claims she has been dropped from Celebrity Big Brother because of her outspoken pro-Palestinian views, including calling on influencers to denounce Israel.
In a blistering social media attack, Amir Khan’s glamorous wife accused ITV of ‘violating’ her right to free speech.
‘It seems from my social media activity and being pro-Palestine is not appropriate for ITV and its sponsors,’ she said in a video posted on Instagram to her one million followers.
Celebrity Big Brother is understood to deny the claim and the production company has responded and said participation is subject to assessments, background checks and production requirements.
Makhdoom then accused the broadcaster of ‘lying’ adding that her PR team were informed that there were some ‘issues’ regarding her social media accounts and claimed she went through the necessary checks.
‘Do better with the lies ITV,’ she wrote.
In a blistering social media attack, Amir Khan ‘s glamorous wife, Faryal Makhdoom, accused ITV of ‘violating’ her right to free speech
Amir Khan’s glamorous wife Faryal Makhdoom claims she has been dropped from Celebrity Big Brother because of her views on Palestine
Makhdoom then accused the broadcaster of ‘lying’ adding that her PR team were informed that there were some ‘issues’ regarding her social media accounts and claimed she went through the necessary checks
‘My PR team were informed by ITV that there were some issues regarding my social media, in particular relating to some new sponsors they may have. So let’s not force me to start posting the evidence.’
The 32-year-old has been vocal about the ongoing conflict between between Israel and Gaza online.
She has as written a slew of statements about the situation. Less than a month after Hamas paragliders ambushed the Nova festival, she wrote on X: ‘At this point, you are either pro humanity or pro genocide there is no inbetween.’
In October last year, less than a week after the attack, she took to her Instagram to call out influencers for not posting about Palestine.
The model wrote: ‘I’m seeing some influencers with huge platforms still posting away… living live normally.
‘But yet not a thing on Palestine and what’s going on around the world. F*** off. No humanity. Selfish AF. Or not enough balls?’
The statement was posted in a series of Instagram stories that also included a plug for her ‘favourite’ beauty salon in Dubai.
She also wrote: ”Can we all just ask ourselves who started all this???’ and suggested that Israeli oppression of Palestinian people had been going on ‘for years and years and years’, adding: ‘Apparently All Lives Matter except those in Gaza’.
She also called on her followers to boycott and ‘cancel’ clothing brand Zara, claiming they were ‘mocking Palestinians’.
In another Instagram post, she wrote: ‘Never sell your faith for fame. In the end all that matters is that you can walk with your head held up high, knowing you stood by justice and what was right, espeically in the midst of a genocide.
‘I will never ever compromise on my integrity and values.’
Makhdoom also posted a video showing dead and injured children on her Instagram along with the caption: ‘Who’s the oppressed or are you still blind? #savepalestine’
In December, the model hit back at at trolls after she was slammed for attending the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival ‘half naked’.
The 32-year-old has been vocal about the ongoing conflict between between Israel and Gaza online
Her featured a thigh high split that showed off her legs and exposed a pair of silver stilettos.
Faryal’s followers took offence at her leg-flashing outfit, accusing her of ‘hypocrisy’ for wearing the revealing ensemble a day after visiting the holy city of Mecca.
Yesterday, Makhdoom spoke of being dropped from the show and said: ‘As many of you know, I was offered to do a show for which the producers had offered me a few years ago and I had previously refused.
This time they made a very lucrative offer and after a lot of convincing I finally agreed to sign for the show.
‘I also wanted to do this show to make it more inclusive for the Muslim community. But it seems from my social media activity and being pro-Palestine is not appropriate for ITV and its sponsors.
‘Mind you ITV and this particular show has had many controversial people on it before, but for some reason I was singled out.
‘I was told to step down ten days before going in. I have never in my life been treated like this.’
In December, the model hit back at at trolls after she was slammed for attending the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival ‘half naked’
Faryal Makhdoom claims she has been dropped from Celebrity Big Brother because of her outspoken pro-Palestinian views, including calling on influencers to denounce Israel
Makhdoom wrote about the conflict on X and claims ITV dropped her because of her pro-Palestine views
The Big Brother spin-off is returning in March for its first series in six years, with Faryal Makhdoom initially thought to be among those entering the show’s Elstree compound
Faryal was said to be keen the public to getting to know her after a rollercoaster year with her boxer husband Amir (pictured together in 2023)
She added: ‘It’s a violation of free speech. This is why cowards with a huge following (especially Muslims) refuse to speak on this issue because they deprive you of opportunities and so you have no choice but to support them and stand them.
‘Bear in mind I was offered substantial money not to speak on this issue but I rejected it. For me, no amount of money will ever stop me from speaking on the injustice happening in Palestine.’
The Big Brother spin-off is returning in March for its first series in six years, with Faryal Makhdoom initially thought to be among those entering the show’s north London compound.
Production company Initial are understood to be responsible for all casting decisions relating to the show, but Faryal has accused terrestrial broadcaster ITV of letting her go just days before the show gets underway.
A spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother said: ‘We meet numerous prospective housemates when casting for Celebrity Big Brother, however the final line up is not confirmed until closer to transmission.
‘As per our welfare protocols, we are unable to comment on the casting process for individual prospective Housemates, other than to say that suitability to participate is determined by a number of factors.’
Faryal was said to be keen the public to getting to know her after a rollercoaster year with her boxer husband Amir.
Amir recently praised his ‘forgiving’ wife Faryal after he was publicly embroiled in several cheating scandals.
‘Faryal is a huge signing for Celebrity Big Brother,’ a source told The Sun.
‘She’s had her ups and downs with Amir but wants to step into the limelight in her own right. Faryal has said she wants to show she’s not a doormat that he walks all over.
‘She is fiery and feisty and will make a brilliant housemate.’
Kate Middleton’s ‘black sheep’ uncle Gary Goldsmith has also reportedly signed up to the show.
Experts have warned Gary could ’embarrass’ the royal family with his views on Harry and Meghan.
The outspoken businessman, 58, brother of Kate‘s mother Carole, is reported to have inked a meaty deal with bosses for the return of the celebrity edition of the series after a six-year absence.
It comes at a challenging time for the royals as Kate continues to recover from her abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, while King Charles had a procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Gary attempted to gain a spot on I’m A Celebrity last year, but was turned down over concerns it could embarrass William and Kate.
Celebrity Big Brother is also reportedly lining up contestants such as Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Levi Roots and music manager Louis Walsh.
The show originally started life on Channel 4, where it ran for more than a decade before being taken off-air in 2010. It was later picked up by Channel 5, who ran the show until 2018.
MailOnline has contacted ITV and Faryal Makhdoom’s representatives for further comment.