Big Brother’s Shilpa Shetty thanked Tony Blair for his support, while visiting the Houses of Parliament.
The Bollywood actress arrived with her mother to watch prime minister’s questions and met Mr Blair afterwards.
She was invited by Labour MP Keith Vaz, who was among those who criticised the TV show after Ms Shetty’s treatment by other contestants caused a race row.
Ms Shetty said she wanted to thank Mr Blair for “his solidarity and his support towards me and my country”.
Arriving at Parliament she was greeted by a media scrum, including 23 reporters from India, and the chimes of Big Ben.
The scale of media interest in her appearance led to a planned press conference having to be moved from the room initially earmarked for the purpose in Parliament.
She and her mother were given a traditional Indian garland and posed for pictures.
“To see how so much respect has been bestowed upon me has truly been an honour,” she said.
The actress won Celebrity Big Brother, following clashes with housemates Jade Goody, Jo O’Meara and Danielle Lloyd who were accused of bullying and racism – something all three denied.
Media regulator Ofcom received more than 40,000 complaints from viewers.
And the row reached both the House of Commons and India, where chancellor Gordon Brown found media coverage of his attempt to boost bilateral relations overshadowed by the programme’s fall-out.
Mr Brown was repeatedly asked about the programme during his trip, responding: “I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything detracting from this I condemn.”
‘Oppose racism’
When Mr Blair was asked about the row in the Commons, he admitted he had not seen the programme, but added: “Of course, I would agree entirely with the principle that we should oppose racism in all its forms.”
Ms Shetty has said she does not believe her fellow contestants were being racist, but that their remarks had stemmed from jealousy, or a “lack of education”.
She had said earlier it would be a great honour to meet Mr Blair, adding: “I want to thank him for his solidarity and his support towards me and my country.”
She is currently having lunch with Home Secretary John Reid, Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Conservative MP Ed Vaisey, and Lib Dem Sarah Teather.
Mr Vaz raised the issue of Ms Shetty’s treatment in an Early Day Motion and at Prime Minister’s Questions, calling on Channel 4 bosses to take “effective action” against “unacceptable” language.
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