On the April 14, 2025, episode of Celebrity Big Brother, veteran television presenter Trisha Goddard, 67, left housemates and viewers stunned as she opened up about a deeply traumatic experience from her early career in Australia. The iconic talk show host, known for her groundbreaking Trisha series that ran from 1998 to 2010, recounted a moment when a racist stranger spat in her face while she was carrying her infant daughter, Billie. The revelation, shared during a candid breakfast conversation with fellow housemates, has sparked widespread discussion on social media and drawn renewed attention to the challenges faced by Black pioneers in media. This article delves into Trisha’s story, the context of her career, the reactions from fans and housemates, and the broader implications of her experience.
The incident occurred during Trisha’s time in Australia, where she began her television career in the late 1980s. As one of the first Black presenters on Australian television, Trisha quickly rose to prominence, hosting shows like Play School and The 7:30 Report on ABC TV. However, her visibility came with a heavy price. During the Celebrity Big Brother episode, Trisha explained, “I didn’t even realise I was their first Black presenter until all the headlines came out. I had KKK sprayed on my door, they offered me security. It was just non-stop for a few months.” The harassment culminated in a particularly harrowing moment: “I had someone—when I was carrying Billie once—just come up and spit in my face when I’m holding Billie and call me the N-word. And it broke my heart.”
The CBB housemates were shocked by Trisha’s admissions – just weeks after she recalled her traumatic experiences with racism as a child(Image: ITV)
The raw emotion in Trisha’s voice was palpable as she shared the story, prompting varied reactions from her housemates. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard asked, “How do you explain that to a child?” while The Only Way Is Essex star Ella Rae Wise echoed, “How do you explain that to a child?” Their responses highlighted the incomprehensible cruelty of the act, especially given Billie’s presence. Trisha’s vulnerability in recounting the incident underscored her resilience, a quality that has defined her 40-year career in broadcasting across Australia, the UK, and the United States.
Trisha’s time in Australia was a formative period, but it was fraught with challenges. Born in Hackney, London, to a Dominican mother and raised in Norfolk, Trisha spent her early years in Tanzania before returning to the UK. Her move to Australia in the 1980s marked the start of her television journey, but it also exposed her to overt racism. In a 2021 interview on ITV’s Life Stories, she spoke about similar experiences, noting how her visibility as a Black woman in media made her a target. The Celebrity Big Brother revelation added a new layer to this narrative, emphasizing the personal toll of such hatred, particularly when it involved her daughter.
Social media erupted with support for Trisha following the episode. On X, fans praised her courage, with one writing, “Trisha Goddard sharing that horrific racist attack on #CBBUK broke my heart. She’s so strong for speaking out.” Another posted, “No one should ever endure what Trisha went through, let alone with her baby in her arms. She’s an inspiration.” The outpouring of empathy reflects Trisha’s enduring connection with audiences, built through years of tackling tough topics on her talk show, from family conflicts to mental health struggles.
Trisha’s decision to join Celebrity Big Brother was itself a bold move, given her ongoing battle with stage four breast cancer, which she first faced in 2008 and which returned in 2023. In a pre-show interview with The Mirror, she explained her motivation: “Being on Big Brother would show people how you can live successfully with cancer and not be so scared of dying that you become scared of living.” Her participation, as the first housemate to enter the show while undergoing palliative care, has been hailed as historic, with her oncologist and care team coordinating with producers to ensure her health needs are met. This context makes her willingness to share such a painful memory even more poignant, as it aligns with her mission to inspire and educate.
The incident Trisha described is not an isolated one in her life. On Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast, recorded days before entering the Big Brother house, she detailed childhood experiences of racism in the UK, including daily taunts of “blackie” from schoolmates and a humiliating incident where a boy knocked her lunch tray to the ground. These stories paint a picture of a woman who has faced prejudice at every stage of her life, yet has consistently risen above it. Her career achievements—hosting a hit talk show, working as a conflict resolution expert on Maury, and presenting on TalkTV—stand as testaments to her determination.
Within the Celebrity Big Brother house, Trisha’s story has also sparked broader conversations. Her clash with former Tory MP Michael Fabricant over comments she perceived as Islamophobic during a shopping task on April 11 showed her readiness to confront uncomfortable issues head-on. While that exchange divided viewers, with some praising her for calling out problematic rhetoric and others feeling she overreacted, it underscored her role as a vocal advocate for fairness. Her interactions with housemates like Mickey Rourke, who faced backlash for homophobic remarks, further highlight her influence in navigating the house’s complex dynamics.
The racist attack Trisha endured raises questions about the progress—or lack thereof—in combating prejudice. Australia in the 1980s and 1990s was a challenging environment for people of color, with systemic racism often unchecked in public life. Trisha’s experience as a trailblazer mirrors those of other Black broadcasters, like Oprah Winfrey in the U.S., who faced similar hostility early in their careers. While diversity in media has improved, recent studies, such as a 2023 report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, suggest that ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in on-screen roles, and hate crimes continue to rise globally, with a 2024 UK Home Office report noting a 25% increase in racially motivated incidents.
Fans have speculated about how Trisha’s revelation might affect house dynamics. Some on X suggested it could foster empathy among housemates like Ella Rae Wise, who has clashed with others, or Chris Hughes, who has been at the center of a rumored feud with Ella. Others believe it strengthens Trisha’s position as a frontrunner, with one viewer tweeting, “Trisha’s honesty and strength make her a winner in my book. #CBBUK.” Betting odds from Radio Times place her among the top contenders, alongside Danny Beard and Patsy Palmer, though the unpredictable nature of Big Brother keeps the outcome uncertain.
Trisha’s story also resonates with her broader advocacy. Her openness about her cancer journey—she prefers the term “life-limiting” over “terminal”—parallels her candidness about racism. In a Woman’s Health interview, she expressed frustration with pity-driven narratives, saying, “I don’t want people telling me about their aunt who died of cancer.” Similarly, she’s rejected victimhood in discussing racism, focusing instead on resilience. This approach has won her admiration, with National World reporting fans calling her “brave” and “inspiring” for joining the show under such circumstances.
The incident with Billie, now 35, remains a painful memory, but Trisha’s choice to share it reflects her commitment to authenticity. Billie herself appeared on This Morning on April 11, discussing her mother’s time in the house and suggesting Trisha could be a bridge between older and younger housemates, particularly for controversial figures like Mickey Rourke. This family support underscores Trisha’s personal strength, bolstered by her marriage to Allen, her fourth husband, whom she wed in 2022.
As Celebrity Big Brother continues airing weeknights at 9 PM on ITV1, Trisha’s presence is a focal point. Her story about the racist attack has not only humanized her but also sparked vital conversations about race, resilience, and representation. Whether she wins the competition or not, Trisha Goddard has already left an indelible mark, reminding us that courage in the face of adversity—be it racism or illness—can inspire change.
