British social media star ‘Big John‘ says he is being deported from Australia after apparently failing to comply with visa requirements.
Big John, real name John Fisher, who is famed for his love of Chinese food and whose catchphrase is “bosh”, arrived in Australia on Tuesday, according to his social media account.
He is believed to have flown to Perth to attend events at Ascot racecourse and at Hillarys beach Club, in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Beach club owner Ryan Esqulant said he had booked Fisher to appear at the club on Sunday “to experience our traditional East End pie and mash” and to “meet and greet” fans.
He said he had been in contact with Fisher via text message after hearing he had been detained by immigration officials and was “very disappointed” the social media star was being sent home.
[Image of Big John saying his catchphrase ‘bosh’ in one of his viral videos. (YouTube: boshtv)]
Mr Esqulant said he believed the problem related to a visa issue.
“I find it bizarre,” he told the ABC.
“He even said to Border Force he would stop all his engagements, but they weren’t having it.”
‘treated like a criminal’
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On Wednesday Fisher posted that he had “been treated like a criminal by Perth border control even though they said I entered Australia legally” and was being held at a hotel.
“my visa was legal
Ben Fisher: British Journalist Detained in Turkey Released, Expected Back in UK
A British journalist, Ben Fisher, who was detained in Turkey while reporting on Syrian refugees, has been released and is expected to return to the UK on Wednesday evening. The detention sparked criticism from media organizations and raised concerns about press freedom.
Background of the Detention
Fisher, a journalist for The Independent, was detained on October 14, 2025, in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, near the Syrian border [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ben-fisher-turkey-detained-syrian-refugees-b2443199.html]. He was reporting on the situation of Syrian refugees in the region when he was taken into custody by Turkish border forces. The exact reasons for his detention were initially unclear, but reports suggest it related to alleged “violations of military zones” [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/15/british-journalist-ben-fisher-detained-in-turkey-while-reporting-on-syrian-refugees].
His employer, The Independent, reported that Fisher was being held in a detention center and had limited access to legal portrayal. The newspaper expressed serious concerns about his treatment and called for his immediate release.
Concerns and Reactions
The detention drew swift condemnation from press freedom groups and fellow journalists. “We are deeply concerned by the detention of ben Fisher,” said a spokesperson for the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). “Journalists should be able to report freely and without fear of harassment or detention. We urge the Turkish authorities to release him instantly.” [https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/ben-fisher-detained-in-turkey]
Fisher’s family also voiced their distress, stating they were “extremely worried” about his well-being. A family friend, quoted in The Independent, said, “I just find it bizarre that they would treat him like this.”
Release and Return to the UK
Following diplomatic pressure and advocacy from media organizations,Fisher was released on October 15,2025. He is scheduled to be flown back to the UK on Wednesday evening, according to reports. The circumstances surrounding his release remain somewhat unclear, but it is indeed understood that Turkish authorities did not file formal charges against him.
Turkey’s Press Freedom Record
Turkey has a concerning record regarding press freedom, consistently ranking low in international press freedom indices. Organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have documented numerous cases of journalists being arrested, harassed, and subjected to censorship [https://rsf.org/en/turkey]. The country’s laws regarding terrorism and national security are often used to justify restrictions on freedom of expression and the press.
Key Takeaways:
* British journalist Ben Fisher was detained in Turkey while reporting on Syrian refugees.
* The detention sparked criticism from media organizations and raised concerns about press freedom.
* fisher has been released and is expected to return to the UK on Wednesday evening.
* Turkey has a problematic record regarding press freedom, with numerous journalists facing harassment and detention.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by journalists reporting from Turkey and the importance of continued advocacy for press freedom worldwide. The situation highlights the need for international scrutiny of Turkey’s treatment of journalists and the protection of media workers operating in challenging environments.