Reality TV > Big Brother Contestant's Dad Dies, Forces Producers to Keep it From Her
May 23, 2007
Written by Anthony Burch
reports that Raymond Cornell, father of Big Brother housemate Emma Cornell, died of cancer last Wednesday while Emma was still in the BB house. His dying wish was that Emma not be told of his death until the show was over.
The story is actually more sad than it is creepy: Emma and Raymond had been estranged for six years, but had recently reconnected through text message. Raymond watched every episode of Big Brother once he found out his daughter would be on, and his desire to keep his impending death from her was -- according to Emma's boyfriend -- an attempt to "not ruin the experience for her." He didn't want her having to leave the house for his funeral, thereby being disqualified.
The funeral was held Monday, without Emma. Producers were told of the death yesterday morning, but it is unknown whether or not they will tell Emma -- at this point, it seems unlikely that she wouldn't find out on her own, but the question remains as to whether the producers consider Emma's possible onscreen reaction to the news more important than respecting her father's wishes.
