Parents hope for sisters to survive

They haven’t seen their daughters for more than two months, and Wayne and Gillian Mercer hope it stays that way for a few more weeks.

The Rockingham couple are parents of the “sugar sisters” — a nickname for Katie and Lucy Mercer, the duo who are competing in reality TV show Big Brother.

After returning home from the latest eviction show held on Gold Coast last week, where her daughters survived the public vote, Mrs Mercer said she did not expect her offspring to still be in the competition.

“They just wanted to do something so they have memories forever,” she said.

“They tried to get in last year but didn’t get in the show, so they decided to keep trying until they got in.”

Mr Mercer said he and his family had always watched Big Brother since its first series in 2001.

He said whatever the outcome of his daughters’ appearance on the show, he was looking forward to talking to them after more than nine weeks with no communication.

“We dropped them off at the airport and that was it, since then (there has been) no contact,” Mr Mercer said.

Mrs Mercer said Katie, a nurse at Rockingham General Hospital and Lucy, completing a teaching degree, had been dubbed the “sugar sisters” by other housemates because of how nice they are.

If they avoid elimination in tonight’s eviction episode Katie will celebrate her 23rd birthday tomorrow in the Big Brother house, something which is sure to be a great experience.

Mr and Mrs Mercer hoped the Rockingham community would support their daughters and were hopeful they could win the competition, capturing a big cash prize.