London, Dec 26 (ANI): Big Brother bosses have blasted reports that they were trying to take advantage of wounded soldiers by asking them to take part in the show.

According to Daily Mail newspaper, programme chiefs were targeting soldiers who had lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan to make the last series the most sensational ever.

The paper also reported that the officials have contacted army charities asking for case studies of homeless or injured troops.

The article quoted Dr Hugh Milroy, chief executive of the Veterans Fund, as saying it was “a new low for reality TV”.

Annabelle Fuller, of the Army Benevolent Fund, told the newspaper: “We’re a charity, not a selection box for bad TV programmes. The people we help are often vulnerable.”

“How anyone could even attempt to try to take advantage of these people and their suffering is staggering,” Commander John Muxworthy, of the UK National Defence Association.

“Big Brother aims to cast the net far and wide to ensure that a diverse range of people get the opportunity to audition and take part in the programme,” the Mirror quoted a joint statement from Endemol and Channel 4 as saying.

“Many different groups and organisations have been approached as they have strong networks within more isolated communities and can help to spread the word about the dates of open auditions,” the statement added. (ANI)