Celebrity Big Brother contestant, boxing promoter Kellie Maloney, accused Olympic boxer Audley Harrison of transphobia after he nominated her for eviction, saying he feels “uncomfortable” around her.

During face-to-face evictions broadcast last night housemates were asked to nominate a fellow housemate for eviction and then explain their decisions.

Harrison – who had previously worked with boxing promoter Maloney – told Big Brother she should the leave the house as the world was ready to accept her as Kellie. He then confessed he sometimes feels uncomfortable around Maloney and that he didn’t want to share a bath with her.

“What you’ve achieved is a great thing,” Harrison said of Maloney’s transition, “but I feel the world is ready for you to go back out there now.”

When Big Brother asked Harrison to explain what he meant by “uncomfortable”, he said that when Kellie some of the female housemates were in the bath together he felt uncomfortable getting in. “I felt, ‘I am being a bit strange here?’ but I did feel a bit uncomfortable.”

“I’m totally open-hearted to the change that Kellie has made. I think you’re so brave,” he added.

After the nominations, the pair discussed events and Harrison quickly denied Kellie’s transphobia claim, saying: “I didn’t nominate you because you were transsexual.”

“You did, why do you have a problem when I get in the bath?” Kellie asked.

“I didn’t have a problem getting in the bath with you because you’re transsexual, I had a problem getting in the bath with you because I’m like, I’ve known you 20, 30 years,” Harrison said.

“If I make you uncomfortable that’s fine,” responded Maloney. “It’s transphobia Audley p*** off,” she added.

Harrison, who was later given an official warning by Big Brother, again attempted to explain his comments in the diary room.

“As I’ve explained I’m 100 percent behind her decision but she needs to give us time to catch up with it.”

“I think anyone would be crazy to suggest that you just switch and make the adjustment, it’s going to take time.”

Kellie also vented in the diary room, telling Big Brother that “I don’t feel annoyed, I feel cheated. I feel someone has been living a lie since I’ve been in the house.” Despite events, she also said she did not regret her decision to enter the Big Brother house.

“[Coming on the show] has helped me develop as a person and it’s helped me find myself. I am pleased I came into the house.”

Big Brother broadcasts on Channel 5 weeknights