Shilpa Shetty returns to Leicester to support Keith Vaz

During her time on Big Brother, Shetty was subjected to racist remarks and Mr Vaz took her cause which went global.

By: Mohnish Singh

Bollywood superstar Shilpa Shetty returned to Leicester to support the candidacy of Keith Vaz, who is standing for the ninth time as MP for Leicester East.

Ms Shetty, the star of many Bollywood films, came to Leicester to meet Keith Vaz’s supporters and members of the public. The last time she came to Leicester was 17 years ago, when she triumphantly emerged from Celebrity Big Brother, where she won the show.

During her time on Big Brother, she was subjected to racist remarks and Mr Vaz took her cause which went global. Thousands turned out in Leicester to welcome her after the win on the 2nd^when February 2007.

Shilpa Shetty said, “Hi Leicester! Hi Belgrave. I am delighted to be in Leicester today after 17 years to support the election of my dear friend Keith Vaz. I remember the ecstatic reception I got in Leicester, it was the first and only city I visited in the UK when I won Celebrity Big Brother. My family’s friendship with Keith Vaz goes back many years.”

She added: “He was a champion for local people in Leicester and India alike. He is dedicated and hardworking and has taken on 41,000 cases from Leicester in his 32 years as an MP. His hard work for Leicester is legendary. Please vote for Keith Vaz on the 4th of July. His symbol is the Sun (Sooraj). So let the sun rise. Please support Keith Vaz on the 4th of July. Vote Vaz.”

Keith Vaz added: “Shilpa and her family are old friends of ours. I am so pleased that he came to Leicester to support my campaign. It is a real honor and privilege to have her here. It is clear from the reaction of the locals; how much she is valued and how much she is loved”.