Big Brother UK 2023 contestant Trish Balusa is seeking legal representation a year after appearing on the ITV show. Trish accuses ITV of neglecting their responsibilities and welfare promises to contestants. These are set out by the broadcaster’s Duty of Care Charter.
“People are our highest priority at ITV,” the charter reads, signed by CEO Carolyn McCall. But that’s not something Trish believes. Now, after sending ITV an intersectionality discrimination complaint – which she feels was not adequately addressed – Trish has escalated her complaint to Ofcom.
Not only that, but Trish is seeking legal representation due to ITV’s alleged wrongdoing. Trish claims she has been subjected to intersectional discrimination both during her time on Big Brother UK, and after her televised eviction. She says this has had “profound and lasting effects” on her mental health, as well as damaging her financial stability. Reality Tea spoke with Trish about why she decided this was the route she needed to go down.
Why Trish Balusa is seeking legal representation in her fight against ITV and Big Brother
Photo Credit: Francis Lievin Kalombo, @francis.klm on Instagram
“I’m seeking legal representation because I deserve justice,” Trish told Reality Tea. “After going back and forth with ITV, their arrogance and certainty that they will get away with this, lets me know they’ve been doing this for a long time. Even when knowing I am going to Ofcom.
“This is something that will go to court. There is so much that has happened behind closed doors that the public aren’t privy to. I am not going to let this go, and I am always going to seek justice. I owe that to myself, and I owe that to my son, and my family, who have all been affected by this.”
Trish’s experience is one she says has been “validated” by other Black reality stars. “People can say they’ve experienced the same. But then coming forward is the difficult thing, because then they risk opportunities. It’s intimidating to speak out against such big corporations.”
Trish claims to have been “passively terrorized on national television” by other housemates who used “microaggressions,” and says ITV “shunned” her while “supporting those aforementioned individuals.”
As for who she is looking for, Trish wants someone who “is just as passionate about seeing injustice undone within the media industry as me.”
Based on legal advice, Trish is also considering bringing proceedings against Big Brother production company Initial.
ITV made changes to their duty of care processes following the suicide of a Jeremy Kyle Show guest. Former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis also took their own lives after appearing on the 2016 and 2017 seasons respectively. Changes announced included “enhanced psychological support” for Islanders, as well as “a proactive aftercare package.”
A similar welfare package was announced for Big Brother 2023 contestants. Support was promised before filming, during participation, and ongoing contact by the Head of Welfare for a period of 14 months after the series had ended.
Asked for comment, ITV replied: “This is not a version of events we recognise.”
