"I was so grateful that Hanah came to me directly to deal with it."
Big Brother star Sarah Griffiths has addressed her "stop the gloats" controversy, admitting she feels "so awful" about it.
During an episode last week, the newly-evicted housemate was heard chanting the slogan alongside Nathan King during a shopping task.
Hanah Haji later learned that Sarah has referred to her as "gloaty", and when questioned, Sarah said she was making a "non-PC" and "funny play on words" referring to the political 'Stop the boats' slogan.
Hanah later expressed dissatisfaction with the remark in the Diary Room, with Big Brother telling Sarah that they "cannot permit language which is likely to be considered offensive by Housemates or the viewing public".
Appearing on Late & Live last night (November 12) following her eviction, Sarah admitted she "absolutely" regretted her remark.
"I felt so awful that someone could be genuinely hurt and offended by something that I had said," she said. "I was so grateful that Hanah came to me directly to deal with it.
"She gave me time and the grace to explain myself, [where I] confirmed there was absolutely no intent [to offend or hurt her]. It allowed our friendship – which was already good – to stay good and carry on getting better, so I was really grateful for that."
Sarah previously shared her remorse over the remark in the house after being reprimanded by Big Brother.
"I’d obviously like to say that if I offended anybody by making that kind of joke, I am genuinely 100% remorseful," she said.
"That is down to my own stupidity and selfishness thinking that me making a joke with word play and being like ‘haha good joke’ and not thinking with forethought about how that would affect other people. That perhaps the original phrase would offend or have connotations too.
"People's feelings are totally valid and if they do feel offended by that I am so so sorry. I have no malice in my heart. I have no malintent against anyone."
Big Brother airs on ITV2 and ITVX from Sundays through Fridays, followed each night by Big Brother: Late & Live.
