Big Brother VIP: Model and actress Ellie Gonsalves joins star-studded cast

Big Brother VIP EXCLUSIVE: Model and actress Ellie Gonsalves joins star-studded cast alongside Caitlyn Jenner and Thomas Markle Jr

Big Brother VIP is expected to begin filming in the next few days.

And as rumours swirl about who will star on the Channel Seven reality show, Daily Mail Australia can reveal model and actress Ellie Gonsalves will be joining the cast.

A network insider has let slip the Gold Coast native, 30, will join the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr and Jessika Power in the newly built Sydney complex.

EXCLUSIVE: Model and actress Ellie Gonsalves has joined the star-studded cast of Channel Seven’s Big Brother VIP alongside Caitlyn Jenner, Jessika Power and Thomas Markle Jr 

Ellie visited a hair salon on Tuesday night to have her cropped hair dyed platinum blonde, which hinted at something special on the horizon.

The star, who boasts more than 1.2 million followers on Instagram, refused to confirm or deny the Big Brother rumours when approached for comment on Wednesday.  

She made her reality TV debut last year when she lived on the streets for 10 days while filming SBS’s eye-opening factual series Filthy Rich and Homeless. 

The secret's out! A network insider has let slip the Gold Coast native, 30, will join the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr and Jessika Power in the newly built Sydney complex

The secret’s out! A network insider has let slip the Gold Coast native, 30, will join the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr and Jessika Power in the newly built Sydney complex

Telling clue: Ellie visited a hair salon on Tuesday night to have her cropped hair dyed platinum blonde, which hinted at something special on the horizon

Telling clue: Ellie visited a hair salon on Tuesday night to have her cropped hair dyed platinum blonde, which hinted at something special on the horizon

Following Ellie’s appearance on the program, she said she felt ‘broken’ after seeing and experiencing homelessness first-hand.

‘I felt so broken after the experience, and returning to my day-to-day life was difficult,’ she said at the time. 

Meghan Markle’s estranged half-brother Thomas Markle Jr is also set to appear on the Seven show, alongside Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Caitlyn Jenner.

Remember this? Ellie made her reality TV debut last year when she lived on the streets for 10 days while filming SBS's eye-opening factual series Filthy Rich and Homeless

Remember this? Ellie made her reality TV debut last year when she lived on the streets for 10 days while filming SBS’s eye-opening factual series Filthy Rich and Homeless

Other rumoured housemates include retired athlete Matt Shirvington, TV presenter James Tobin, comedian Josh Thomas and former Hi-5 star Charli Robinson.

In April, a network insider told Woman’s Day producers had their sights set on several big names, including Home and Away’s Lincoln Younes and radio star Ash Pollard.

Big Brother VIP is the second celebrity-themed Big Brother format to air in Australia, after a first season was made back in 2002.

Housemates: Meghan Markle's half-brother Thomas Markle Jr is also set to appear on the Seven show

Preparing: Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Caitlyn Jenner (pictured) is halfway through her 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine

Housemates: Meghan Markle’s half-brother Thomas Markle Jr (left) is also set to appear on the Seven show, alongside Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Caitlyn Jenner (right)

Under construction: Channel Seven is set to introduce a brand-new house for the upcoming season of Big Brother VIP after the producers were evicted from the Manly compound (above)

Under construction: Channel Seven is set to introduce a brand-new house for the upcoming season of Big Brother VIP after the producers were evicted from the Manly compound (above)

Unlikely location: The show is set to begin filming at Sydney Olympic Park (pictured) at a new Big Brother house in the coming weeks

Unlikely location: The show is set to begin filming at Sydney Olympic Park (pictured) at a new Big Brother house in the coming weeks

The new set is currently being constructed despite the ban on building works in Sydney, after the producers were granted special permission.

The show will air on Seven later this year with Sonia Kruger is returning as host. 

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for comment. 

Hostess with the mostess: Sonia Kruger (pictured) is returning as host of Big Brother Australia

Hostess with the mostess: Sonia Kruger (pictured) is returning as host of Big Brother Australia

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