Big Brother housemate Conor McIntyre's row with Deana Uppal has sparked almost 1000 complaints.

The personal trainer lost his temper with the 23-year-old beauty queen after she failed an eating task and launched a verbal attack on her, during which he apparently threatened to punch her.

Hundreds of viewers complained to TV watchdog Ofcom about the scenes aired on Monday, which left Deana in tears and complaining to the other housemates she felt "bullied".

An anti-violence organisation has called for Conor to be removed from the house.

Holly Dustin, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: "It is highly irresponsible of Channel 5 and the makers of Big Brother not to have immediately removed Conor McIntyre from the house, but to leave a woman in a confined space with someone who has made threats of physical and sexual violence against her.

"Merely giving Conor McIntyre a ticking off in the diary room sends a very harmful message to young people that abusive behaviour towards women is entertainment and not very serious."

Conor lost his temper with Deana for failing the Confusing Cuisine task set by Big Brother. She selected a cake to eat, but was left gagging when she bit into it and found it was made of ham and hot sauce.

He fumed: "For f*** sake Deana, eat it!" He later launched into an expletive-laden rant and added that he would punch her.

The 24-year-old from Derry was then called to the Diary Room and reprimanded by Big Brother.

Channel 5 said in a statement: "Conor's behaviour was not condoned by Big Brother or any of the housemates. Having spoken to Conor, and bearing in mind our duty of care to the other housemates, we are satisfied that he should continue to participate in the programme."