Family defends 'Big brother' death secret

SYDNEY: The family of a contestant on Australia's 'Big Brother' reality television show on Friday brushed off criticism of a decision to leave her in ignorance of her father's death.

Contestant Emma Cornell (24) knew her father may not live through her stay in the show's house, where contestants are shielded from the news and all contact with the outside world, her brother Matt said.

Their father Raymond, who died of cancer last week at age 53, had asked that Emma be allowed to finish the show before being told of his death, Matt said in a letter posted on the show's website.

"He was adamant and clear in expressing this request.

"He also requested that his death remain private from the Big Brother 'hype' but unfortunately due to the indecency of the person who leaked the information to the media we have been unable to honour this wish."

Matt Cornell attacked speculation about the decision to keep Emma, a Sydney-based personal trainer, in the dark and said the family was "confident we have made the right decision".

"Our dad had been ill for a considerable amount of time and wasn't taken from us suddenly. The family did have time to prepare themselves," he said.

"We reassured Emma that, in the event that this did happen, grieving our dad's death when she was released from Big Brother would be no less meaningful or significant than when he actually passed away."

Critics, including grief experts, have said Emma should have been told of her father's death.

Big Brother producers said they would stand by the family's request regardless of public concerns, assuring critics that Emma will not be told of her father's death on camera.