Inside the scramble to get Big Brother ready for tonight’s finale after Sydney’s Covid-19 lockdown thwarted plans for a live extravaganza
New plans have been unveiled for the Big Brother Australia live finale, after Sydney’s Covid-19 lockdown threw a spanner in the works.
Sixteen former housemates will be present when viewers vote for the winner out of the three finalists: Marley Biyendolo, 26, SJ Adams, 66, and Christina Podolyan, 22.
Production company Endemol Shine initially had big plans for the season’s end, including a live audience, but this was scrapped due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Last-minute changes: New plans have been unveiled for the Big Brother Australia live finale, after Sydney’s Covid-19 lockdown threw a spanner in the works. Pictured (left to right): Big Brother finalists Christina Podolyan, Marley Biyendolo and Sarah Jane ‘SJ’ Adams
The producers have since had to implement a series of last-minute changes to work around the restrictions.
Despite the Covid situation, all of the housemates from the 2021 season were still invited to attend the Sydney finale in person.
But just 16 contestants accepted the offer, and those who declined will instead make an appearance via Zoom.
Change of plans: Production company Endemol Shine initially had big plans for the season’s end, including a live audience, but this was scrapped due to the coronavirus outbreak
Producers offered to cover the expenses of the housemates attending, including out-of-pocket expenses such as quarantining costs, reports TV Blackbox.
It comes after former contestant Chris Wayne, who declined to attend, incorrectly stated on Facebook that no one from the show would be present for the finale.
Channel Seven later confirmed this wasn’t true.
Several housemates were pictured jetting into Sydney Airport on Saturday, including Mary Kalifatidis, Gabe Criste, Carlos Castro and Michael Brown.
Flying in for the finale: Several housemates were pictured jetting into Sydney Airport on Saturday, including Mary Kalifatidis, Gabe Criste, Carlos Castro and Michael Brown
Two of the final three competitors, Christina Podolyan and Marley Biyendolo, arrived on Friday just hours before the lockdown.
Out of the top three heading into the finale, one is the clear favourite to win it all.
As of Tuesday morning, both Sportsbet and TAB have Marley as the short-odds favourite to take home the $250,000.
Front-runner: As of Tuesday morning, both Sportsbet and TAB have Marley Biyendolo (pictured) as the short-odds favourite to take home the $250,000