Media watchdog Ofcom has received 505 complaints since Alex De Gale began launching foul-mouthed tirades at her housemates.

Channel 4, which was last year hit by Jade Goody's allegedly racist bullying of Shilpa Shetty, has also had around 250 complaints.

Bullying UK director Liz Carnell hit out at the broadcaster for showing the scenes.

She said: "I'm sure Channel 4 are delighted with the controversy it's caused but it's sending out a message to young people who see what is clearly bullying.

"The aggression shown is unacceptable. Young people are going to be watching and expecting that they can get away with that sort of thing. Channel 4 should take action."

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We are closely monitoring the situation and will take any appropriate action."

On Tuesday night's show viewers saw producers warn Alex about her behaviour, but the complaints have continued to flood into Ofcom since then.

In the latest scenes, Alex is involved in another row. She accuses Rex of touching her lighter without permission and of having a personal vendetta against her, calling him a "loser" when the chef walks away.

Afterwards Alex, an accounts executive from Croydon, sheds tears in the Diary Room, saying she had tried to curb her anger since being warned about her behaviour.