Thomas Markle; Meghan Markle’s half brother joins Big Brother Australia

Caitlyn Jenner, Katie Hopkins and … Meghan Markle’s half brother. Channel 7 is understood to have booked in another controversial contestant for Big Brother Australia.

Exclusive: Thomas Markle Jr is a surprise addition to the Big Brother VIP line-up.

Days after The Daily Telegraph revealed Caitlyn Jenner was in hotel quarantine ahead of shooting the celebrity version of the Australian reality show, the estranged half brother of the Duchess of Sussex is understood to have flown to Sydney.

Meghan Markle's half brother Thomas Markle Jr.

Markle Jr, 55, is one of a number of high profile international names tipped to compete in the reality show that is scheduled to begin shooting at Sydney Olympic Park over the coming weeks.

Broadcaster Channel 7 is yet to make any announcements regarding casting although host Sonia Kruger recently confirmed there would be “some extraordinary internationals who will be taking part”.

A further 10 or so Australian celebrities are expected to be included in the cast.

As with all other film and television productions flying in international talent from abroad, producers must apply to the Australian Government for travel exemptions. This is above any existing international arrivals cap regarding repatriation of Australian citizens.

Meghan Markle with her parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland. Picture: Thomas Markle: My Story

“We are not commenting on speculation about the cast of Big Brother VIP,” a Seven spokesman said. “All will be revealed soon and Big Brother is looking forward to meeting the new collection of housemates. Much of the speculation has been wrong, but 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. 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.”

Roughly 250 people are employed to work on the series.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Picture: Paul Ellis / AFP

Controversial British commentator Katie Hopkins was earlier this week linked to the show, although was never confirmed as a contestant. The Federal Government revoked Hopkins, a Covid denier, visa after she brazenly flouted quarantine rules.

Markle Jr has made global headlines due to the ongoing rift in his family with sister Meghan after she began dating and subsequently married Prince Harry of England. He famously wasn’t invited to the couple’s wedding and their father, Thomas Markle, has been criticised for taking payments from media for talking about his daughter. Sister Samantha Markle has also been criticised widely for speaking out about her half sister.

Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner is understood to be appearing on the show. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Katie Hopkins was deported from Australia after flying in for Big Brother.

The celebrity version comes off the back of a hugely successful run of the traditional Big Brother format in which Melbourne basketballer Marley Biyendolo triumphed to take home the $250,000 prize money. Sydney fashionista Sarah Jane Adams and Melbourne flight attendant Christina Pondolyan were runners up.

It is the second ever Big Brother celebrity season, the first having run in 2002 on Channel 10 when TV and radio host Dylan Lewis won. Actor Jay Laga’aia placed second while the series also included the likes of Kyle Sandilands, Gabby Millgate, Kimberley Cooper, Anthony Mundine and Red Symons.

Former Olympic athlete Jenner meanwhile touched down in Sydney last week and undergoing mandatory hotel quarantine.

The 71-year-old is of course most famous for previously being married to American reality star, Kris Jenner. Back then, she went by the name of Bruce and was stepfather to Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian and father to daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

Jenner is an Olympic gold medal winning decathlete, who represented the US at the 1976 games in Montreal, Canada. She competed on the 2019 season of Britain’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! and the American version in 2003.

Big Brother VIP will air on Seven later this year.