'Big Brother' Housemate Rebekah Shelton, Formerly Known As Rodrigo Lopes, Completes Gender Reassignment Surgery

Trans 'BB' Star Completes Gender Reassignment
|

Former ‘Big Brother’ housemate Rebekah Shelton has confirmed on Twitter that she has completed her gender reassignment surgery.

The transgender reality star - who entered the ‘BB’ house as Rodrigo Lopes during the show’s tenth series - publicly announced in 2012 that she was transitioning, and had begun living as a woman.

Open Image Modal

Rebekah Shelton

Rebekah has now revealed that she’s taken the final step in her journey, and has undergone gender reassignment surgery in her home country of Brazil.

She tweeted her joy on Wednesday evening, writing:

After being showered with messages of congratulations from her online supporters, Rebekah later thanked her British fans for standing by her throughout her transition, tweeting that she hoped her personal journey could inspire other members of the trans community:

In 2013, Rebekah claimed that she had turned to sex work in order to fund her sex change operation, stating she was struggling to find work due to employers being put off when they saw her working documents still listed her as male.

Rebekah has previously told Heat magazine that she chose the surname ‘Shelton’ rather than her birth surname after the family she stayed with when she first arrived in the UK.

We’re pleased to see that Rebekah’s year is going to end on such a high note, as the year has been a difficult one for the former ‘BB’ housemate.

Her life was left hanging in the balance back in May, when she fell into a coma after discovering a brain tumour, with her family taking to Twitter to ask her fans to pray for her health to improve.

Big Brother Contestants: Where Are They Now?
Brian Dowling(01 of22)
Open Image Modal
After winning both 'BB2' and 'Ultimate Big Brother', Brian took many presenting roles, the most recent being presenting 'Big Brother' when the show revamped for Channel 5. That is, until Emma Willis took over the role in 2013. However, you can still occasionally catch him popping up on Irish TV. (credit:Getty Images)
Josie Gibson(02 of22)
Open Image Modal
Whilst Josie has presented for Channel 5's 'OK! TV' and 'Big Brother's Bit on the Side', she's best known for her weight loss and image reinvention.As a trained personal trainer, she has released fitness DVDs and books and is considered to be one of the UK's most successful reality TV stars. (credit:Getty Images)
Brian Belo(03 of22)
Open Image Modal
After his incredible single, 'Essex Boy', flopped (sad face), Brian appeared as a regular on the final season of 'Harry Hill's TV Burp'. He also tried to sue ITV for allegedly stealing the idea for 'TOWIE' from him. Brian last popped up on the 2015 series of 'Big Brother', when he returned to the house alongside Nikki Grahame and Helen Wood as part of a 'Timebomb' twist. (credit:Getty Images)
Pete Bennett(04 of22)
Open Image Modal
In a recent interview with Reveal magazine, Pete admitted to having suffered from from drug addiction, and immediately after leaving the house was embroiled in a whirlwind romance with Nikki Grahame, which unfortunately ended in tears.Since getting clean Pete channels his time between his acting career and working with a music careers magazine. Good on you, Pete! (credit:Getty Images)
Samanda(05 of22)
Open Image Modal
After their time in the house, everything seemed to be coming up Samanda; they released singles, their own perfume and a fitness DVD.They can now be found judging beauty pageants (if you're looking). (credit:Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Imogen Thomas(06 of22)
Open Image Modal
The glamour model and former-Miss Wales appeared in the 7th series of Big Brother and now commonly appears on Welsh-speaking channel S4C. However, she is best known for dating Russell Brand, as well as various footballers; including Ryan Giggs, with Thomas being the subject of his super-injunction. (credit:Getty Images)
Gina Rio(07 of22)
Open Image Modal
The self-confessed "most spoilt girl in Britain" now writes a column for Closer magazine, after coming in second place in 2013. (credit:Getty Images)
Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace(08 of22)
Open Image Modal
Aisleyne has carried on her glamour modelling, although she briefly changed her image following a 'make-under' on BBC3 show, 'Snog, Marry, Avoid'. She has since reverted to her old ways and launched 'Aisleyne's Booty Camp', a celebrity boot camp, earlier in the year. Oh, and she was briefly engaged to boxer, Mike Tyson. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Derek Laud(09 of22)
Open Image Modal
Since BB6, Derek has furthered his political career; appearing on 'Question Time' and founding his own think tank. He still works as a speechwriter and political adviser for the Conservative party. (credit:Alma Robinson/allactiondigital.com /Alma Robinson/EMPICS Entertainment)
Penny Ellis(10 of22)
Open Image Modal
Poor Penny; first evicted from the house in BB2, yet the drama teacher still managed to get fired from her job upon return after complaints from parents at her appearing nude in the show. She now works as a waitress.
Sam Evans(11 of22)
Open Image Modal
Some Big Brother contestants let the fame go to their heads upon winning the show; not Sam, who returned to working in Debenhams. However, you can currently see him on S4C reality TV show, 'Cariad@iaith:love4language', learning Welsh. (credit:Getty Images)
Kate Lawler(12 of22)
Open Image Modal
The show's first female UK winner, Kate had a brief stint modelling for lads' mags until she found her true calling as a radio presenter, working on various Kerrang! Radio shows between 2007 and 2013 before moving to Key 103, where she still presents the midday show. (credit:Getty Images)
Cameron Stout(13 of22)
Open Image Modal
Everyone's favourite fish-trading virgin is a regular columnist for various Scottish newspapers, whilst appearing in panto in Glasgow and Aberdeen. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Chanelle Hayes(14 of22)
Open Image Modal
After leaving the BB8 house, Chanelle attempted to start a musical career, but these dreams were put on hold when Radio 1 refused to play her single and her request to perform at V Festival was declined. She now runs a cake shop in Wakefield, and still crops up in the showbiz news from time to time. (credit:Getty Images)
Richard Newman(15 of22)
Open Image Modal
Newman became something of a gay icon after leaving the house, appearing on the cover of Boyz magazine. He spent two years presenting shows on Gaydar Radio with fellow housemate, Lea Walker, and now works as a freelance journalist for the gay press. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Shell Jubin(16 of22)
Open Image Modal
After causing a stir on the show, (in)famously gardening naked, Shell is best known for being the inspiration for indie band Frightened Rabbit's acclaimed second album, having dated guitarist before appearing on the show. (credit:Getty Images)
Sallie Axl(17 of22)
Open Image Modal
She might have been evicted first in 2013, but somehow Sallie has managed to remain a tabloid staple thanks to her strong opinions and showbiz lifestyle. (credit:Getty Images)
Anna Nolan(18 of22)
Open Image Modal
After coming second in the first series, everyone's favourite lesbian, Irish, ex-nun made it big; presenting for Irish station RTÉ until 2011, when she began producing TV instead. (credit:William Conran/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Nick Bateman(19 of22)
Open Image Modal
Nasty Nick caused quite a stir in the first season but has since changed his ways. Upon returning to the house for 'Ultimate Big Brother', he was nicknamed 'Not-so-Nasty Nick' and has spoken at the Oxford and Cambridge Unions, holds a pilot and racing license and has appeared in multiple pantomimes. (Oh no he hasn't...) (credit:William Conran/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Vanessa Nimmo(20 of22)
Open Image Modal
As the first evicted housemate from BB5, everything should have gone downhill for Vanessa. Instead, the self-proclaimed 'flirt' got breast implants, glamour modelled and dated Ben Fogle - fair play to her. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Spencer Smith(21 of22)
Open Image Modal
Called 'cocky' and 'self-assured' in the BB3 house; it obviously worked for Smith, who was scouted for modelling upon leaving the house. (credit:Myung Jung Kim/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Chantelle Houghton(22 of22)
Open Image Modal
After becoming the first non-celeb to win 'Celebrity Big Brother', Chantelle married her fellow housemate Preston, but it wasn't to last. Following their divorce, the two wound up stuck in the house together again during 'Ultimate Big Brother', and since then she's had a baby with yet another 'CBB' housemate, Alex Reid. (credit:Getty Images)