TV boss says row saved "boring" Big Brother

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) The race row that engulfed ''Celebrity Big Brother'' rescued the reality TV series from becoming the most boring yet, Channel 4 chief Kevin Lygo said in an interview with a trade magazine.

Claims that Indian actress Shilpa Shetty was bullied and subjected to racist taunts by other contestants made headlines around the world.

More than 40,000 people complained to the media watchdog Ofcom, questions were asked in the House of Commons and protests were held in India.

''This was in danger of being the most boring BB that we'd had in many years -- maybe ever,'' Lygo told Broadcast. ''We were thinking 'oh dear -- what can we do?' ''And then suddenly ... this argument erupted which was taken on by the media and erupted into this extraordinary story.'' He denied claims producers manufactured the row to gain higher ratings. Viewing figures rocketed from a low of less than three million to nearly nine million after the row.

Some commentators said the show's makers knew there would be fireworks when reality TV show contestant Jade Goody entered the camera-filled house.

''One of the extraordinary and infuriating things about it is that you can't engineer situations as easily as some people think you can,'' the channel's director of television said.

While one minister accused Channel 4 of passing off racism as entertainment, Lygo said it was ''fantastic'' the show had sparked a debate on racism in Britain.

''Would I prefer it had been raised in the beautifully controlled perfect way of (current affairs programme) 'Dispatches?' Yes -- but it's not going to cause this sort of debate,'' he said.

Channel 4 Chief Executive Andy Duncan played down the financial and political fallout.

''The commercial issues have been overplayed,'' he told Broadcast. ''The majority of advertisers have been happy to stay with the programme and we've been inundated with advertisers wanting to advertise more around it.'' Shetty and four others -- actor Dirk Benedict, singer Jo O'Meara, actress Cleo Rocos and pop star Ian Watkins -- have been nominated for eviction. Two will leave tomorrow and the winner will be chosen by public vote on Sunday.

REUTERS MS RK1905