John Bric, who was caught up in Big Brother turkey-slap storm, to run for Yarra council

One of the characters at the centre of Big Brother’s infamous “turkey slapping” controversy is making a surprise move into politics.

A reality TV contestant who shot to national notoriety almost two decades ago has put his hand up for the Yarra Council election.

John Bric was at the centre of the “turkey slap” controversy on Big Brother in 2006 which even prompted calls from Prime Minister John Howard for the show to be taken off air.

Mr Bric, 39, said he was now a different person and had learnt from the experience.

“It was a lifetime ago, I was 20 at the time. I don’t really care about my image or what people might think, this is about making a change in the area where I live and care about.’’

Mr Bric, a freelance journalist, lives in Richmond with his partner.

John Bric is running as an independent in the City of Yarra council election.

He is running as an independent in the Lennox ward, which includes Richmond south of Bridge Rd and Cremorne.

“Like a lot of people I’ve done things in life that you learn from and be a better person and learn from that life experience,’’ he told the Herald Sun.

Mr Bric was removed from the Big Brother house after an alleged sexual assault on a housemate.

Mr Bric was a contestant in the sixth series of Big Brother in 2006. It featured the infamous turkey-slapping allegation – when two male housemates held down a woman and one rubbed his genitals in her face.

The alleged sexual assault on housemate Camilla Severi led to Mr Bric and Ashley Cox being ejected on Day 70.

John Bric was a Big Brother housemate in 2006.

The allegation of sexual assault was referred to Queensland Police but no charges were laid.

The scandal led to then Prime Minister Howard call for Channel 10 to act on the controversial series.

Big Brother host Gretel Killeen with housemates John Bric and Ashley Cox who were removed from the house.

“Well here’s a great opportunity for Channel 10 to do a bit of self-regulation and get this stupid program off the air,’’ Mr Howard said.

Ms Severi, who later became a radio host, said in 2020 that she was not scarred by the incident but was by the national attention that followed.

Camilla Severi and John Bric at a fashion event at Melbourne Town Hall in 2006 after the series had ended.

Mr Bric said he did not hesitate to step up for the council election.

“If someone is going to judge me on a TV appearance 20 years ago, then why are they not judging someone on council who was charged with serious assault.’’

Current councillor Anab Mohamud, then a Greens member, was charged with assault and public drunkenness after an altercation with a woman at a South Yarra nightclub in 2021.

The charges were dropped the following year.

Camilla Severi became an FM radio host after the show.

Mr Bric said he decided to run out of disenchantment with the current council.

“Many of these councillors have been in the system for years and have come from a public service background,” he said.

“I believe very few of them know what it’s like to be a business owner, a struggling student, or a local private sector worker.”

His four main policies are revitalising business areas such as Bridge Rd, tackling the problems around Lennox St injection room, change the way ratepayers’ money is being used and overhaul the bin system.

“The current crop of councillors are out of touch with society.

“In recent times they have told residents how to eat, suggesting they become vegan while serving meat appetisers at council meetings. That’s just one example.

“I do not come from a political background. I am also not aligned to any political party. I believe that is exactly what the council needs right now, someone who can be a voice for the public, not just another mouthpiece for the public sector.’’