Okwudiri Straightman Nwali

'You absolute legend!' CBB hosts Emma Willis and Rylan Clark praised by Twitter for 'grilling' first evictee Winston McKenzie...but others slam show as a 'witch-hunt'

Winston McKenzie was the first housemate to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house on Friday night.

And host Emma Willis didn't let the London Mayor hopeful leave without a grilling, as she questioned him on his his controversial views in a fiery eviction interview.

Twitter was full of praise for the TV star, declaring her 'an absolute legend' for challenging Winston, while Bit On The Side host Rylan Clark also didn't let the housemate get off lightly in his interview, leading other viewers to question the tough style of the exit shows. 

Scroll down for video 

Grilling: Celebrity Big Brother host Emma Willis has been praised on Twitter for her interview with first evicted housemate Winston McKenzie

Winston's time in the CBB house has been shrouded in controversy, with viewers seeing the politician issued a warning during Friday night's episode after housemate Nancy Dell'Olio told Big Brother she no longer felt comfortable sharing a bed next to him. 

While during a task on Friday's show, which saw the celebrities attempt to match a series of random facts to their fellow housemates, Winston was revealed to had once called adoption by gay couples a form of 'child abuse'.

See more of the latest news from Winston McKenzie's Celebrity Big Brother eviction  

He's out: Former boxer Winston was the first to say goodbye on Friday, after 13 of his 14 housemates opted to save Nancy Dell'Olio

Unpopular: Winston's time in the CBB house has been shrouded in controversy and he was booed loudly during his exit 

Winston sparked controversy again after Wednesday night's episode after ranting about 'immigration' and 'black politicians', while it has emerged Ofcom has received 244 complaints about the show.

The UKIP supporter continued to show little remorse regarding his contentious views during his interview with host Emma Willis, who was praised on social media for her challenging questioning.

Asked to explain his views, Winston remarked: 'People are entitled to their opinions. I'm being portrayed as a people hater. There are people in life who are gay and they've fought long and hard for their rights and I respect that.

'We live in a democratic society and we have the right to our opinions.'

Having her say: The UKIP supporter continued to show little remorse regarding his contentious views during his interview with host Emma Willis, who was praised on social media for her challenging questioning

Speaking out: Asked to explain his views, Winston remarked: 'People are entitled to their opinions. I'm being portrayed as a people hater'

Tough: Emma seemed intent on pressing Winston on his claims that gay adoption is a form of 'child abuse'

Praise: The TV star was congratulated on her interview skills by many fans on Twitter

But Emma was more intent on pressing Winston on his claims that gay adoption is a form of 'child abuse'. 

'I'm a Christian and I expressed my feelings at the time. It doesn't mean to say that I am one to say to someone that they can't. I don't make the rules, it's the people,' Winston responded. 'My comment was made in the heat of the moment. The press were on me and they got what they were looking for. It's not something that was done from the heart.'

'They portrayed it however they wanted to,' he stated. Asked if he felt even the smallest ounce of contrition, he replied: 'I agree with my heartfelt feelings. I'm not gonna change my mind or my thoughts just to please other people.' 

Emma was widely praised on social media for her questioning of Winston with one viewer praising the host for 'keeping her cool', while another tweeted: 'WOW you absolute legend! Tackled homophobia AND over sexualisation of the female body!!! Well done bravo.'

Fans: Housemate Stephanie Davis' boyfriend Sam Reece was among those tweeting their praise after Emma 'grilled' Winston in the exit interview 

Another fan added: 'Go on @EmmaWillis, she should be interviewing all politicians getting proper answers through all the awful spiel,' after the host attempted to get Winston to answer her direct questions.

During spin off show Bit On The Side, Emma told Rylan Clark that the interview was 'infuriating and frustrating...he was a typical politician and didn't want to answer what I was asking him.' 

'I know some people think I should be more impartial as a host of the show,' she added, 'but I have my views. If a child can be given a home and love, it doesn't matter. And that's why it offended me.'

'Witch hunt': Other viewers were left unimpressed by the focus of Emma and Rylan Clark's interviews with Winston

Rylan, who married his husband Dan Neal last year, was also keen to grill Winston, asking the former boxer directly during his BBOTS interview 'would you be upset if my husband and I adopted children because I can't wait to have kids.'

Winston denied that he would be upset, explaining: 'If that's how you live your life, feel free to do that.' 

While there was praise for both Rylan and Emma's interviews, some deemed the focus of the exit chats a 'witch hunt', with one viewer tweeting: 'As a gay man I don't agree with Winston. But this is a witch hunt and you should be absolutely ashamed @bbuk,' while another posted:

Setting him up to fail: Former Big Brother housemate Victor Ebuwa was critical of the way the show portrayed Winston

Fight for your right: Meanwhile, former pop star Sinitta defended Winston's right to have his own opinions

Stitched up: Viewers questioned whether Winston was set up to fail given that producers knew about his controversial views before entering the house

'I love @EmmaWillis and @Rylan but #cbb are #bullying #winston and being so #rude, it's embarrassing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion!!!' 

Another viewer called Emma 'unprofessional' over her interview conduct, adding that 'CBB set Winston up big time.'

Former Big Brother housemate Victor Ebuwa was critical of the way the show portrayed Winston, tweeting: 'They knew Winston's mad views b4 he went in so why select him & then use inflammatory comments from his past? He's been hung out 2 dry #CBB'

Meanwhile, former pop star Sinitta wrote: '#CBB I'm Christian and I don't share Winston's opinions at all but he is entitled to have his own and at least he is not homophobic'

Despite disagreeing with his beliefs, some fans of the show felt Winston had been set up. With one writing: 'I do not agree with Winston views but Big Brother knew his views before he entered the house. It does look like a set up though! #CBB' 

Tough night: During spin off show Bit On The Side, Emma told Rylan Clark that the interview was 'infuriating and frustrating,' with Rylan soon having his chance to question Winston

Backlash: Another viewer called Emma 'unprofessional' over her interview conduct, adding that 'CBB set Winston up big time'