Big Brother fans were beside themselves when the news broke that the show WILL be making a big TV return. The reality TV programme aired for a whopping 18 years in the UK, on both Channel 4 and Channel 5, until it was axed in 2018.
But following a five-year hiatus, the hit show is being revived by ITV, it has been confirmed. The news was revealed via a promotional video that aired during the Love Island series finale on ITV2 on Monday night (August 1).
The new series, which will air next year on ITV2, will see a cast of 'carefully selected housemates from all walks of life' live together for up to six weeks as the public watch via the house’s network of surveillance cameras. Big Brother’s trademark live evictions will also return with the public once again voting throughout the series and ultimately deciding the winner of the cash prize.
As well as the first promo for the returning series airing on ITV2, Big Brother UK's social media pages were revived with a tweet of the promo showing the famous Big Brother eye made out of ITV2 logos gradually appearing and was soon wracking up thousands of likes and responses.
And famous fans were also sharing their joy at the news including Dawn French reposted the teaser and said: "Don’t tease me…! #BBUK @bbuk." But one of the most anticipated reactions was from former Celebrity Big Brother winner and the show's self-confessed super fan Rylan Clark.
The presenter won the eleventh series of the celebrity version of the reality show in 2013, a year after appearing on ITV's Ths X Factor. He later went on to host the show's spin-off, Big Brother's Bit on the Side. Tweeting a picture of the updated version of the iconic logo. Rylan wrote: "He was always watching… It’s coming home #bbuk."
As fans quickly responded, he has since issued a clarification to Twitter. He shared on Tuesday morning (August 2): "Should clarify. I’ve not been asked to host the show. As a fan, like always, I’m made up it’s coming back. I know how hard you/we all fought to keep that name alive and I’m so glad it paid off in the end. The OG reality is back. It’s the news we wanted. Welcome back bro x #bbuk."
But he did share his hopes for the upcoming return. "Praying for *Normal housemates from all walks *Live evictions *No outside contact *Public vote *Adopt a small part of gameplay from overseas territories *Some form of Live feed *Big Brother to always be in charge," he penned.
The 33-year-old then ended his string of posts: "So we will see… v early days Re team / host etc. Regardless we wanted it back and it came back."
Fans of Big Brother, however, were soon issuing the same demand for the show's revival. Former housemate Gerry Stergiopoulos who said: "If @itv2 take Big Brother back to basics, with housemates from ALL ages, body types & walks of life, @BBUK will be a HUGE success. Back in the day we didn't have Instagram followers but we had personalities... #BBUK."
And he wasn't the only one saying it. @LynnEagers said in response to Rylan's tweet: "Please can it be old school normal people not people recruited from insta, tiktok and only fans." @jane14roberts echoed: "Pls rylan, no wannabes-just normal everyday people, let’s go back to basics."
@vickymoe23 replied: "Please please please NO Instagram wannabe influencers ! We ONLY want to see your normal everyday folk fighting with Eachother because someone has decided to spend 90% of the shopping budget on tins of cider!" @lja8x added: "The best. Take it back to basics with regular people in there, not wannabes."
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