Channel 7 dumps far-right UK reality star Katie Hopkins over naked quarantine stunt
Covid-hoaxer reality star Katie Hopkins could be sent back to the UK after her explosive claims of “naked” quarantine behaviour led to a review of her visa compliance.
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Divisive reality star Katie Hopkins has been dumped from her upcoming Big Brother role by Channel 7 and is expected to leave the country after claiming she had been deliberately trying to break quarantine rules by answering her hotel door naked.
The Guardian reported on Sunday a decision had been made to terminate the Covid-hoaxer’s contract, either on grounds of bringing the network into disrepute or failing to comply with visa conditions.
The report came just hours after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told the right-wing personality to go home to the UK and NSW Police and Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the Australian Border Force was looking into whether she had violated her visa requirements.
Seven yesterday said in a statement: “Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia confirm that Katie Hopkins is not part of Big Brother VIP.
“Seven and Endemol Shine strongly condemn her irresponsible and reckless comments in hotel quarantine.”
Ms Hopkins — who is undersstood to have flown into the country to take part in Celebrity Big Brother — has described Covid as “the greatest hoax in human history”.
The 46-year-old has been mocking Australia’s strict Covid laws on Instagram, claiming she had been deliberately flouting the rules laid down by the AFP officers when they escorted her to her hotel.
“I’ve been told when they bring three meals a day to the door … I have to wait 30 seconds before opening the door,” she said. “And then I can open the door but only with a face mask.”
Instead, she has said she has been “lying in wait” in the bathroom naked, then sprinting to the door.
Police said in a statement that they were “working closely with ABF to ascertain whether the visa to enter Australia provided to a 46-year-old woman from the United Kingdom remains valid.
“The NSW Police Force will assist with any operational requirements to assist the woman to return to her country of origin if it is deemed necessary.”
Mr Joyce told ABC’s Insiders he would happily send her packing if she broke the rules — just as he had threatened to do with Johnny Depp’s dogs when the Hollywood star’s then-wife Amber Heard sneaked Pistol and Boo into the country in 2015.
“If you want to do that, pack your bongo and get out of country,” Mr Joyce said.
“It is despicable that anyone would behave in such a way that puts our health officials and community at risk,” Ms Andrews said.
“Yesterday I directed Australian Border Force to immediately consider the facts of this matter and urgently review whether this individual is complying with the requirements of her visa.
“Border Force have been responding to that overnight, and continue to do so today.”
She said the Big Brother contestants had been given exemptions to enter the country based on support from the NSW Government.
“The NSW Government approved quarantine for Big Brother contestants above the quarantine cap,” she said.”
Celebrity Big Brother will be filmed at Sydney Olympic Park, close to NSW’s largest vaccination hub.
It will be hosted by Sonia Kruger and is expected to air later this year.
Originally published as Channel 7 dumps far-right UK reality star Katie Hopkins over naked quarantine stunt
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