India Willoughby comforted by CBB housemate Ashley James after trans dating debate

India Willoughby was comforted by fellow Celebrity Big Brother housemate Ashley James after getting into a heated debate around transgender dating.

Celebrity big brother star India Willoughby was branded a “victim” after leaving a conversation with Ginuwine when he said he would not date a trans person.

Speaking to the singer, Willoughby asked: “Would you go out with a transgender?”

He answered: “I believe it’s your choice and I would choose not to.”

Willoughby got upset during the debate and walked off.

But James comforted her, saying: “Love is greater than a label”.

Adding: “I think you’d be surprised at how many of us think of you as a woman and not as trans,” the reality TV star said.

“I can’t speak for the whole house but a lot of us do but when you open the narrative around trans, we ask questions and I’d hate to ask anything ignorant.

“But if you open the conversation and people are trying to understand without malice, you can try and get people to understand or be like, ‘Do you know what? I can’t talk about it.”

“Because if someone asked me the question like directly, would I date someone trans? I don’t know.

“I couldn’t answer because I don’t…who’s trans? Do you know what I mean?”

James continued: “Like in the same way that if you say to me, do I go out with brunettes, blondes? I couldn’t answer it.”

Willoughby earlier this week refused to accept an apology from Amanda Barrie who misgendered her this week.

Willoughby was misgendered by three housemates Ann Widdecombe, Rachel Johnson and Amanda Barrie this week in the Big Brother House.

The news broadcaster, who transitioned in 2015, entered the house earlier this week and met her fellow housemates.

Barrie, 82, misgendered Willougby twice this week and Willoughby noted that the veteran actor had laughed about it afterwards.

The Coronation Street star referred to Willoughby twice as “he”, later joking: “Why do I do that? It’s ’cause I fancy you!”

Willoughby said: “That’s twice you’ve misgendered me. Amanda – that’s the second time she’s misgendered me and she’s just chuckled.”

When Barrie spoke to Willougby in the garden to apologise for misgendering her, Willoughby said: “Apology not accepted”.

Some reacted angrily to the refusal, saying she should “build a bridge and get over it”, and that she should have accepted the apology.

One wrote: “A mistake was made twice by an old lady. U wouldnt spk to your gran like that if anything india is the one victimising. Needs someone to put the bullying cow in her place cant stand her.”

Another added: “This drives me mad with Trans they make everyone feel unconfortable when its them that bangs on about their journey and u was a he then now a she blah blah blah
be a ADULT &correctly politely correct ppl or better still shut the fuck up #CBBIndia #cbb”

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Viewers were shocked this week when Ann Widdecombe referred to Willoughby using the incorrect pronoun – “he”.

It came as all the housemates were discussing how their parents chose their names.

Willoughby quipped that her mother named her after her favourite restaurant, an Indian.

Ann Widdecombe responded: “I think he’s pulling your leg.”

India snapped back quickly: “I do beg your pardon.”

Later in the episode, Willoughby approached Widdecombe to address the incident.

“I just wanted to say I know you misgendered me earlier today,” she said. “That’s fine.”

Widdecombe tried to defend her actions claiming that if the house had not been discussing Willoughby’s transition so much she would not have misgendered her.

“It’s not a big issue,” Willoughby continued. “You know it hurts trans people when that happens, but it wasn’t deliberate.”

To which Widdecombe agreed that “it certainly wasn’t deliberate.”

Further controversy was caused by a clip from Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Side showed that Rachel Johnson also used the male pronoun in reference to Willoughby.

Ashley James quickly scolded Johnson and corrected her use of the wrong pronoun.

Ultra-conservative politician Ann Widdecombe’s appearance in the house drew controversy given her history fraught with homophobia and transphobia.

The former MP for Maidstone and The Weald vehemently opposed LGB rights with her voting history showing her blocking them at every chance.

She also opposes transgender rights, believes people can be ‘cured’ of their homosexuality, is anti-abortion, pro-death penalty and once argued pregnant prisoners should be shackled while giving birth.

Her appearance on the show has caused some controversy given that the theme of this year’s show is intended to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, with tasks designed to challenge gender roles.

Willoughby also drew controversy earlier this week after she claimed that she believed that gender fluid people “cheapen” the experience of transgender people.

“For people like me, it’s not a part-time thing and not a choice”, Willoughby said.

“That word ‘transgender’ can mean anything from RuPaul to someone who’s Bob one day and Barbara another day, and I think that cheapens the seriousness of it”.

People immediately took to Twitter to condemn the former newsreader’s outburst.

“India’s choice of words on #CBB tonight? Inaccurate, to say the least,” one person wrote.

Another added: “I have respect for India and her journey. But that doesn’t mean she should put down other people’s journeys.”

Her comments came as drag queen Courtney Act is set to enter the house on Friday.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race season six runner-up identifies as gender fluid when not in drag, but uses female pronounces when performing.

A source close to the star, who first found fame on Australian Idol 15 years ago, said that Courtney will is used to big personalities from working in the world of drag.

“Courtney has seen everything as a drag queen so nothing will faze her in the house.

“She’s a pro who won’t be intimidated by any of the big personalities in there and she won’t back down from a row,” they added.

It isn’t the first time a RuPaul star has competed in the British reality programme which sees 12 stars living together in a house.

Michelle Visage, one of the much-loved judges on Drag Race, competed in 2015 and finished in fifth place.

As well as a trans woman and a drag queen, there is also a bisexual contestant.

Former Coronation Street Star Amanda Barrie is the oldest person to ever compete in the house at 82.

It’s not the first time she’s taken a major decision in later life – she waited until 2003, age 67, to come out as bisexual.

Amanda said she spent years terrified that revealing her same-sex attraction would get her axed from her dream job on Coronation Street.