Big Brother's Shilpa to launch curry chain

Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty is to open her own chain of curry houses in the UK.

Bollywood beauty Shilpa, who was at the centre of a race row on this year's Celebrity Big Brother, is finalising plans on her flagship restaurant in central London, according to reports in The Sun.

Shilpa is convinced that her newfound popularity in Britain following her appearance on Big Brother will ensure that the Shilpa Shetty Dining Hall chain is a success.

Her agent Farhath Hussain confirmed: "Work is moving very swiftly and final details are being drawn up."

Shilpa gained sympathy with the British public after she suffered alledged racist bullying at the hands of fellow housemates Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd during her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

While Jade's career has nosedived, Shilpa has been swamped with offers for TV work, including an opportunity to appear on Australia's Celebrity Big Brother, which she turned down.

A new series of Big Brother begins in the summer.