Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, who was at the centre of a race row on the British series Celebrity Big Brother, has been voted the show's winner by the public.

Shetty burst into tears upon hearing she had won the vote.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, seen in this October 2006 file photo, says she doesn't think her housemates were racist.
(Rajesh Nirgude/ AP)

Runner-up Jermaine Jackson, the brother of pop star Michael, said he was "very happy" as he left the house.

The show, starring B-list celebrities, got worldwide attention recently after several of Shetty's roommates were accused of making derogatory remarks about Shetty and her Indian heritage.

As a result, Jade Goody, former S Club 7 star Jo O'Meara and model Danielle Lloyd were all cast as racist bullies. They made fun of the way she ate, the way she spoke and even her name.

As well, when the 31-year-old starlet served her housemates some Indian food, her dish was dismissed as "undercooked" and Shetty's hygiene was also questioned.

The behaviour triggered a furor, sparking 40,000 complaints to Channel 4, the company which produces the show, and causing a cellphone sponsor to pull out.

A chain of perfume shops also said it would stop selling a fragrance that Jade Goody has endorsed while an insurance company said it will end a modeling contract with Danielle Lloyd.

Jade Goody, seen here after she was evicted from the house a week ago, has admitted to being 'nasty' to Shilpa Shetty.
(Channel 4/Associated Press)

Hundreds of Shetty's fans in India took to the street, burning effigies of the show's producers.

Comments made in 'the heat of the moment'

The film star has since stated that she doesn't believe her housemates' actions were racially motivated.

Lloyd says her remarks had been made "in the heat of the moment".

"I wasn't laughing at Shilpa... it was just nerves," said Lloyd upon her eviction.

Goody, who was evicted more than a week ago, has admitted she was "nasty" but denied being a racist. She is considered to be Shetty's main tormenter. Goody achieved her fame in a previous Big Brother show, the non-celebrity version.

Meanwhile, police say they have contacted Goody and her mother, Jackiey Budden, who was also on the show, to interview them about "allegations of racist behaviour inside the Celebrity Big Brother house."

O'Meara also denied being a racist following her recent eviction, saying that "Shilpa did aggravate me a lot — don't know why. You can't click with everybody you meet."

"It's not because I'm racist at all. I think she's a very beautiful, very elegant woman."

She later told the Sunday Mirror. "If I went back in there then I'd say it all again."