A return for Big Brother is "drawing closer" - and bosses are planning a "back to basics" version.
The Channel 4, and then Channel 5, show ended in 2018 after decades on screen, and there have been talks about the show making a huge return next year, lead by ITV, who are hoping to make it into the success that Love Island is for them.
It has been reported that broadcaster ITV are in "advanced talks" to bring the show back in the autumn of 2023, following on from another series of Love Island, and want to ensure the potential new series has all the hallmarks of the early era.
ITV are believed to be "closing in on a deal" and will take the show "back to basics," according to BroadcastNow.
Reports initially surfaced of a Big Brother return back in April - with the hopes the new channel would open it to a younger audience.
"They think putting it on ITV2 will open it up to a new audience and legion of younger fans," a source told The Sun, "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."
Since the news broke, Emma Willis has poured cold water on the rumours - insisting the show needs more time off air first, but she did admit she "missed" the programme so much and would want it back one day.
"I miss it so much but I do think it needs longer [off air]. It needs a bit more of a rest, I think," she said.
"I think if you go back to day dot when it first started and how it just took all of us by storm, it was just phenomenal. If it can do that again, and if it went back to that, I mean, it would be amazing wouldn't it?"
Speaking about the possibility of a return, she added: "Everybody wants it back! I think it will come back when it's ready, maybe it's not ready yet. If you're gonna do it again, you've got to do it fantastically well. Hopefully, there's somebody beavering away somewhere that is coming up with an amazing plan for it, but I don't know anything about it if they are!"
