MEGHAN Markle’s estranged half-brother is to star in the Australian version of Big Brother in fresh embarrassment to the Duchess of Sussex.
Thomas Markle Jr arrived at Sydney airport on Thursday and is now in a quarantine hotel, where he will stay for 14 days before taking part in Big Brother VIP.
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The show is the Aussie version of Celebrity Big Brother and he will join other contestants including Caitlyn Jenner.
Thomas Jr, 55, is the half-brother of Meghan, 39, with the pair sharing the same father, Thomas.
The Duchess of Sussex has a strained relationship with her dad and step-brother, stemming from her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Only Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland attended the ceremony, causing friction with her other siblings.
Thomas Jr spoke out about being snubbed despite having implored Prince Harry to call off the ceremony as Meghan “is obviously not the right woman for you”.
After not receiving an invitation, the father-of-two said: “I’m not bitter, just baffled. It’s hurtful given how close we once were.
ARRESTED
“I’m confused and a little distraught because here is a person knowing the position she’s in and knowing the scrutiny she’s under and yet she has forgotten her flesh and blood.”
He has gone on to make more outspokenly critical comments about his half-sister, including calling her a bully.
Thomas was arrested on January 12, 2017, in Oregon for allegedly holding a gun to a woman’s head during a drunken argument.
Meghan has not spoken to her dad after he admitted he was paid to pose for paparazzi pictures sold to news outlets worldwide.
The 76-year-old was meant walk her down the aisle but initially pulled out, before stating his desire to attend but eventually conceded he could not attend due to heart surgery.
A Channel Seven spokesperson said: “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.”
His arrival in the country comes just days after another Big Brother contestant, Briton Katie Hopkins, was deported for threatening to break quarantine rules
The controversial commentator, 46, is said to have posted a video online saying she would answer the door naked and maskless to people delivering meals — in breach of the rules in locked-down Sydney
Seven Network and Endemol Shine yesterday condemned her “reckless comments” and confirmed her axing.
Health minister Greg Hunt called her actions dangerous and irresponsible.
He added: “If the stories are accurate, instead of Big Brother watching Katie Hopkins, she should be watching Big Brother from a long, long way away.”
