IT is strange how the actions of 14 people living in one house can have such a powerful impact all over the world.

The headlines this week have not been about Iraq or problems at the Home Office but instead they have contained stories about the actions of a few individuals on a reality television programme.

Jade Goody - who shot to fame for living in the BB house a few years ago - re-entered that same house as a celebrity and has sparked the most controversial series of Big Brother yet.

Her actions coupled with those of housemates Danielle and Jo typify those of not just a bully but a racist.

I do not believe, however, that Jade set out to offend those from a different culture; the problem lies with lack of awareness.

The racial slur witnessed by millions was spoken from the same mouth that asked - "Why don't Eskimos turn into ice cubes," as well as questioning whether they have a language or communicate in a way similar to whales.

Until this year Big Brother was really quite pointless.

At the start of 2007, however, the nation has been shown the ugly truth about cultural awareness in this country - there is a distinct lack of it.

With ever-increasing ethnic diversity in Britain it is more important that ever that we understand beliefs and heritage.

Jade's eviction by a landslide majority shows that many in this country simply won't put up with the torment inflicted on Indian Actress Shilpa Shetty and because of that there is hope.

This latest outrage may have finally killed of the nation's obsession with reality TV, unfortunately though it came a little too late to stop the latest series of Dancing on Ice.