Big Brother set to return ‘back to basics’ on ITV

Big Brother is set to make its grand return as ITV bosses ‘close in’ on a deal to revive the infamous reality show.

Big Brother originally aired in 2000 on Channel 4, where it enjoyed ten successful years until its axe in 2010. Channel 5 temporarily revived the show the following year, but that too faced the chop seven years later in 2018. 

And now, the show is set to make its third channel hop over to ITV, with new reports today claiming the channel is ‘closing in’ on a deal to take the show ‘back to basics’ at some point next year.

According to the reports, it is hoped that the new version of Big Brother would replicate the success of ITV2’s smash hit dating series Love Island. 

Channel 4

A TV source said back in April: “ITV is the home of big appointment telly. They know better than anyone how to put on big live events.

“They think putting it on ITV2 will open it up to a new audience and legion of younger fans. They are really keen on getting the deal done on Big Brother, and hope to have something firm to announce soon.

“The talks are still at an early and delicate stage, and the next few weeks will be key.

“It needs the full treatment and they’re confident they are the ones who can return it to its legendary former glory. It has millions of fans and is one of the most iconic TV shows of its generation.”

The source added that TV bosses are considering airing the revived series on ITV2 in autumn 2023 after Love Island has aired.

There have already been numerous calls for Big Brother’s original presenter Davina McCall to make a return, though she is yet to address the ongoing rumours.

However TV presenter Allison Hammond – who rose to fame as a housemate in the third season of Big Brother back in 2002 – has said she’d ‘jump at the chance’ to host a revival of the series.

She said during a recent appearance on The Late-ish Show with Mo Gilligan: “We’ve got to put it out there to the universe. Let’s make it happen!”

Big Brother started as a ‘social experiment’ eighteen years ago, and featured a twenty-four-hour live-feed that viewers from home could tune into at any point during the day or night. Housemates would take part in tasks, challenges and games, and would face weekly vote-offs from viewers at home.