Mum fears for BB housemate

Helen Tsitouris
April 29, 2007 12:00am

THE parents of Big Brother's Mormon contestant, Rebecca Dent, are upset their daughter is under siege from fellow housemates over her decision not to join in their party antics.

Rebecca's mother, Rosemary Dent, has spoken exclusively to The Sunday Mail about her concerns for her daughter, who is finding it hard to bond with housemates.
"She should not be criticised for her belief," Mrs Dent said of Rebecca, 23. "We have the right to worship God and we accord all the same privilege.

"The housemates are giving her a hard time because she is not participating in their drinking games. They have said some hurtful things.

"They are really focusing on her religion. People need to accept her as she is."

She said members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "follow the Ten Commandments and we don't drink, don't smoke, we try to live a healthy lifestyle".

The 60-year-old mother of nine said she was shocked when she learnt Rebecca had auditioned for the reality TV show.

"But it was a choice she made for herself."

She said she and her husband Colin had counselled Rebecca, discussing the possible fallout.

Mrs Dent isn't worried about Rebecca succumbing to peer pressure from the housemates.

"I have complete confidence in her. She knows she's going to be watched and her parents are watching because she's asked us to tape every episode. She's not going to do anything that's going to embarrass her family."

The Gold Coast hinterland resident said seeing her daughter struggle was heartbreaking.

"It's hard seeing her on TV sad when she's such an upbeat person. And I've seen her sad a couple of times now."

Mrs Dent said she refused to read the "nasty comments" left on the Big Brother website.

"I'll get really angry and you don't want to see me mad. If you haven't got something nice to say, don't say anything at all."

The family have watched Big Brother previously and said Rebecca "went into BB to have time out. She wanted to change the direction of her life".

Tonight, Andrew and Hayley will be revealed to the house as a couple; Billy will be revealed as Hayley's ex; and one person will leave the white room with cash in hand.

Big Brother is on Channel 10 tonight from 6.30

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