Indian actress Shilpa Shetty, who shot to fame during the last version of 'Celebrity Big Brother', has defended British Television station Channel 4's decision to kick out contestant Emily Parr after she used a racially offensive word to housemate Charlie Uchea in the ongoing season of the popular reality show.

Always in the news in the British media since she dealt with bullying in the show that she won in January, Shetty told newspersons on the opening day of IIFA Weekend: 'I'm glad they took a stand. It's a good thing, it's a positive thing. I'm glad Channel 4 did what they did.'

Emily Parr, a 19-year-old student from Bristol, was evicted from the show for calling Charlie Uchea, who is black, a 'nigger'. Stung by criticism over racist comments and bullying when Shetty was in the house, Channel 4 and producer Endemol removed Parr from the show.

As soon as the latest race row broke out, British journalists contacted Shetty for her comments. She was finally queried about the subject during the press conference with Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) brand ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan at the Town Hall.

Britain's media regulator Ofcom had received over 45,000 complaints when Shetty was bullied and after an inquiry, the regulator directed Channel 4 to apologise after it was found guilty.

In the ongoing show, Parr and Uchea were dancing in the living room when she said, 'You pushing it out you nigger?' Uchea told her the comment might get her in trouble.

Angela Jain, head of the 'Big Brother' commissioning team for Channel 4, said: 'I think people watching the show tonight will agree that Emily spoke carelessly rather than maliciously. Charley and Nicky, the two housemates most directly involved in the conversation with her, seem to accept that she did.

'In the wake of 'Celebrity Big Brother,' we must consider the potential offence to viewers regardless of Emily's intentions and her housemates' response.'