Bulgarian 'Big Brother' shocks with toddler

SOFIA - Bulgarian media and broadcasting authorities criticised a popular reality television show on Thursday for letting a toddler live in a house with 12 frolicking adults.

Media were initially delighted to find the cast of moderately famous Bulgarians on "VIP Brother" included self-described "sex hedonists", an ex-Playboy playmate, and former Miss Bulgaria Violeta Zdravkova.

But opinion shifted when Zdravkova brought her 3-year-old daughter Danaya to the show, which in previous years has featured nudity, sex and short-lived affairs between housemates.

"Little Danaya listens to sex lessons!" said the headline of a disapproving article in daily Trud.

Bulgaria's broadcasting regulator sent a letter expressing concern to Nova TV, the station airing the show.

"We are extremely worried at the presence in the house of a three-year-old, who has become an unwitting witness of indecent acts," it said, urging Nova to bring the show up to "public perceptions of moral standards".

Fans of the show have also complained.

But Nova said it would not kick the girl off the set.

"Only her mother can decide whether she should keep her daughter in the house," said the station's public relations officer Galina Dzhoreva.

- REUTERS