By ninemsn staff
It could be the last straw for Big Brother, after it emerged producers of the reality program knew a contestant had miscarried and still challenged her to keep a toy baby alive.
Network Ten and producer Endemol Southern Star have reportedly admitted that housemate Kate Gladman's "situation" was known prior to the show.
Gladman, a government lawyer from Victoria, broke down in tears after being asked to take care of a life-like baby doll as part of the program.
The task was abandoned after the 25-year-old threatened to leave the house. She was offered counselling after the show aired, but refused.
Her mother, Annette Gladman, was furious at what appears to be a sick ratings grab.
"I think it's not insensitive, it's sadistic," she told the Daily Telegraph.
"I think they have got a moronic following and have milked it for all it's worth.
"I know that they have done that deliberately."
Stillbirth Foundation founder Emma Kirkwood was "appalled" by the program's lack of ethics.
"I felt sick (when I heard about it)," she told the newspaper. "I find it incredibly disturbing that they would do this.
"This shows a lack of respect for both Kate and for that baby she had.
"To have a stillborn baby — it doesn't leave you. It is with you every day."
The Ten statement claimed Kate had told them she was completely recovered from the ordeal, which occurred 18 months ago and was caused by a blood pressure disease.
"Kate told the producers that she had dealt with it fully, but obviously she had not," the statement said.
Evelyn Field, an author and psychologist, said it seemed Big Brother was just creating controversy in a bid to get TV ratings.
"What they're doing is exposing vulnerable people to difficult situations without providing support, without checking how they really feel.
"It is irresponsible in that it says to people, 'If you're not in full control of your emotions, then we will still put you on air', and I think that is putting people in a very difficult, humiliating situation."
A spokeswoman for Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan said there had not been any complaints about the new series.
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