Indian star wins TV show after race row

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty stormed to victory on Britain's Celebrity Big Brother late on Sunday, after her treatment on the television show sparked fears of racist bullying that escalated into an international row.

Shetty, whose victory is being seen as a triumph for racial equality in Britain in the wake of the ugly row, beat 13 other contestants, including those who were accused of tormenting her.

But the 31-year-old was quick to play down allegations that she had been the victim of racial abuse on the show, unaware the spat had already drawn tens of thousands of complaints, dominated headlines and even prompted a sponsor to pull out.