Big John fans in Australia, hoping to see him on their land, were met with unfortunate news a couple of days ago, after they found out that the Chinese food-loving social media star was detained by authorities in Perth. As per the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), the deportation was a result of failing to comply with visa requirements.
Big John, aka John Fisher, arrived in Western Australia on Tuesday, excited for the country’s tour ahead of him. He was scheduled to make a few appearances, including one at Hillarys Beach Club in Perth’s northern suburbs,
However, just a while after landing in the country, Fisher uploaded an update on his Instagram, revealing that he would be flying back home to the UK, after being detained by the Border Force for four hours. He was then kept in a holding hotel where he waited to be deported.
A post shared by John Fisher (@itsbigjohn1)
While ABC states that failing to meet visa requirements proved to be a problem for Fisher, he stated in his video that his visa was completely “legal coming in“. He added, “They’re not happy with what I’m doing here, so they’re sending me home.”
He apologized to his fans and admitted that he had no ill feelings towards them or their country. To make matters worse, Fisher was deported on his birthday.
Big John Opens up About His Detainment and Deportation
Big John has been pretty open about what he faced in Perth. He has shared his side of the story with media outlets as well as on his social media, letting his fans know what happened and how he felt about it all.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, he revealed that a woman in immigration showed him several pages of what he had been planning on doing in the country as proof. Obviously, Fisher was not trying to hide anything, but the official told him, “Your visa doesn’t allow other people to profit from your work“, in reference to the companies he was collaborating with.
Fisher revealed that he had no idea about this and added that he didn’t appreciate how he was treated. While he loves the country and its citizens, the incident “left a bad taste” in his mouth.
On his birthday, while he was still in the detention hotel, John put out a statement on his Instagram, claiming that he had been “treated like a criminal by Border Control” even though he entered the Land Down Under legally.
A post shared by John Fisher (@itsbigjohn1)
From the airport, waiting for his flight back to the UK, Fisher posted another update, stating that he was being escorted by three men making sure he would not run away. He wrote in the caption, “I have 3 men with me until I board. Never been so humiliated in my life“, adding that he felt like a drug lord.
A post shared by John Fisher (@itsbigjohn1)
The ‘Boshfather’ was to attend a series of meet-and-greets in the country, and other events, including one at the Ascot racecourse and Hillarys Beach Club.
Australian Beach Club Owner Came Out in Big John’s Support
As stated above, Big John was supposed to attend an event at Hillarys Beach Club before things went south for the Internet personality. The owner of the club, Ryan Esqulant, was asked about the sudden change of events by ABC.
Esqulant had booked Fisher for an appearance, excited for him “to experience our traditional East End pie and mash“, and meet his fans. He was in contact with Fisher via text messages after the detainment and was left “very disappointed” that he had to go home immediately.
He stated, “I find it bizarre. He even said to the Border Force he would stop all his engagements, but they weren’t having it.“
Also from the UK, Esqulant revealed that his nephew played football with Fisher’s son, which is how he got to know him in the first place. He added, “He’s a great guy. We’ve been quite close. He’s got a family, part of his family, that relocated to Perth. I find it bizarre that they [Border Force] would treat him like this.”
A spokesperson for the Australian Border Force stated that they cannot comment on the situation “due to privacy obligations.”
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