Jo O'Meara broke down on national TV claiming her life is in ruins after she was portrayed as a racist bully.

In a tearful interview on GMTV, Celebrity Big Brother contestant Jo, claimed she has been unable to return to her Essex home because she has received death threats.

The former S-Club singer told Fiona Phillips that her behaviour towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty - and comment that Indians are skinny because they don't cook their food properly - were "taken out of context".

She said: "I was a guinea pig. It's ruined my life. I just feel that Big Brother had a TV show to make and they have to do what they can to make good viewing and unfortunately I was a guinea pig. It's ruined my life.

"I don't think I bullied Shilpa, I really don't. I have got feelings and I make mistakes sometimes. Everybody makes mistakes but just not everybody does it on TV."

Jo - whose attempt at a solo career flopped last year - said she only took part in Celebrity Big Brother because her house was under threat of repossession and she needed the cash.

Fiona cut the interview short, telling O'Meara: "You really do need to get some help. You look like a broken woman."

The former singer is now being watched by medical staff in her hotel as she is too "fragile" to be moved to a specialist clinic.