Meghan Markle’s brother Thomas Markle Jr joins Big Brother VIP as he arrives in Sydney to begin hotel quarantine… just days after Katie Hopkins was deported
The estranged half-brother of Meghan Markle has arrived in Australia and will soon join the cast of reality show Big Brother VIP.
Thomas Markle Jr was spotted by staff at Sydney Airport on Thursday before being whisked into hotel quarantine, where he will stay for 14 days.
His arrival in the country comes just days after another Big Brother contestant, Katie Hopkins, was deported for threatening to break quarantine rules.
Arrival: The estranged half-brother of Meghan Markle has arrived in Australia and will soon join the cast of reality show Big Brother VIP. Thomas Markle Jr was spotted by staff at Sydney Airport on Thursday before being whisked into hotel quarantine, where he will stay for 14 days
A Channel Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘We are not commenting on speculation about the cast of Big Brother VIP.
‘All will be revealed soon and Big Brother is looking forward to meeting the new collection of housemates.’
It’s unclear if Markle Jr, the older paternal half-brother of the Duchess of Sussex, is replacing far-right commentator Hopkins, who was sent back to the UK on Monday.
Controversial: His arrival in the country comes just days after another Big Brother contestant, Katie Hopkins (pictured), was deported for threatening to break quarantine rules
Hopkins, 46, had sparked a national outcry when she boasted on Instagram of trying to violate quarantine rules by opening her door naked and maskless to hotel staff.
The reality star, known for her extreme views on immigration and Covid-19, had her visa revoked on Sunday and was put on a flight back to Britain the following morning.
Other notable contestants taking part in Big Brother VIP include Caitlyn Jenner, who flew in from LA last week and is in hotel quarantine.
Ignorant: Hopkins was sent back to the UK on Monday after she boasted on Instagram of trying to violate quarantine rules by opening her door naked and maskless to hotel staff
Jenner, 71, who is also running for Governor of California, is rumoured to be getting $500,000 for her appearance on the show.
Markle Jr’s salary is unknown.
Meanwhile, Markle Jr would have likely obtained a ‘critical skills’ visa in order to be allowed entry into Australia during the Covid pandemic, while thousands of Aussie citizens remain stranded overseas and unable to come home.
This visa is granted when there is a demonstrable economic benefit by allowing the person into the country.
High-profile stars: Other notable contestants taking part in Big Brother VIP include Caitlyn Jenner (pictured in February 2020), who flew in from LA last week and is in hotel quarantine
‘It’s important to note that Seven ensures the arrival of international artists in Australia does not impact or impede on Australians returning home from overseas,’ a Seven spokesperson said.
‘Any international artists associated with Seven are on arrangements that exist outside of the flight cap on international arrivals and have been granted exemptions by the government to come here. All our artists also undertake quarantine measures in line with government legislation.
‘Much like the arrival of world-class international actors bolstering Australia’s film industry at present, these artists are contributing to the making of leading TV productions, creating jobs for many people at a difficult time for the creative and production sectors.’
Filming of Big Brother VIP is set to begin at a purpose-built complex at Sydney Olympic Park in the coming months.
The program will air on Channel Seven later this year.
The set is currently being constructed despite the ban on building works in Sydney, after the producers were granted special permission.
Coming soon: Filming of Big Brother VIP is set to begin at a purpose-built complex at Sydney Olympic Park in the coming months. The program will air on Channel Seven later this year
Markle Jr. does not have a relationship with his famous younger sister, who is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
He was not invited to the Sussexes’ wedding in May 2018, and at the time hadn’t seen the Suits actress for about seven years.
The window fitter has criticised his half-sister in the press, describing her as a ‘phony’ and a ‘jaded, shallow, conceited woman’.
He has also blasted Meghan, 39, for cutting off their father, Thomas Markle Sr, after he was caught collaborating with U.S. paparazzi.
Estranged: Markle Jr. doesn’t have a relationship with his famous younger sister Meghan (left), who is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (right). He was not invited to the Sussexes’ wedding in May 2018, and at the time hadn’t seen the Suits actress for about seven years
Blasted: The window fitter has criticised his half-sister in the press, describing her as a ‘phony’ and a ‘jaded, shallow, conceited woman’. Meghan is pictured in 2019
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