BREAKING: Big Brother release statement announcing cancellation

It's been rumoured for MONTHS

emma willis

by Polly Foreman |
Updated on

Big Brother bosses have released a statement on Twitter announcing that this upcoming series will be the last on Channel 5, and it will not return next year.

The statement, released by production company Endemol Shine UK, reads: "We are incredibly proud of Big Brother which has consistently been the highest rated show for Channel 5 over the past seven years, with the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother being the channel’s highest rating show of the year, growing its’ audience year on year by 17% and tripling the channel’s slot average for 16-14s.

"This performance is credit to the fantastic production team, plus Emma, Rylan, Marcus and the many housemates over the years who have delivered so many unmissable series.

"Big Brother continues to be a global phenomenon. He UK is one of 20 countries where the show ill air in 2018, including the US where Celebrity Big Brother was recently renewed, four different versions in India and last month’s Celebrity Big Brother in Germany which saw a rise of 85% series on series.

GALLERY: where are the Big Brother winners now?

Gallery

Big Brother winners (slider)

Craig Phillips (winner of series 1 in 2000) then1 of 30

Craig Phillips (winner of Big Brother 1 in 2000) then

Craig was the first ever winner of the series all the way back in 2000. He famously donated his entire £70,000 prize fund to his friend Joanne Harris who has Downs syndrome - to pay for her heart and lung transplant.

Craig Phillips (winner of series 1 in 2000) now2 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Craig Phillips (winner of Big Brother 1 - 2000) now

After winning the show, Craig became one of the UK's leading DIY and home improvement experts (he owned a construction business before going on Big Brother).

Briain Dowling (winner series 2 - 2001) then3 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Brian Dowling (winner of Big Brother 2 - 2001) then

Here's Brian back in the day (we're getting all the nostalgic noughties feels seeing this pic of him and Davina) on final night.

Brian Dowling (winner series 2 - 2001) now4 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Brian Dowling (winner of Big Brother 2 - 2001) now

After winning the show, Brian became a successful presenter - he even hosted two series' of Big Brother and four of Celebrity Big Brother after the move from Channel 4. He also won Ultimate Big Brother in 2010.

Kate Lawler (winner series 3 - 2002) then5 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Kate Lawler (winner of Big Brother 3 - 2002) then

Kate became the first ever female winner of the show in 2002.

Kate Lawler (winner series 3 - 2002) now6 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Kate Lawler (winner of Big Brother 3 - 2002) now

After winning the show, Kate worked as a presenter, DJ and model. She worked on Capital FM and Kerrang among others, and also took part in Celebrity Love Island in 2006 (coming third). She now presents on Virgin Radio.

Cameron Stout (winner series 4 - 2003)7 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Cameron Stout (winner of Big Brother 4 - 2003)

All-round lovely guy Cameron won the show in 2003, and he looked extremely happy about it. He's now living in the Orkney Islands and is working as a teacher. He recently spoke to Rylan Clark-Neal about his life post-Big Brother. Cameron said: "I live in a relatively small town called Stromness. We're right on the edge of the sea and I love living here."When I get up in the mornings, I open the curtains and I've got this panoramic view that's full of sea and full of sky. It's just beautiful."

Nadia Almada (winner series 5 - 2004) then8 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Nadia Almada (winner of Big Brother 5 - 2004) then

Nadia became the first transgender woman to win the show, and is frequently dubbed 'Britain's favourite winner'. Davina also said Nadia was her favourite winner ever.

Nadia Almada (winner series 5 - 2004) now9 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Nadia Almada (winner of Big Brother 5 - 2004) now

Nadia subsequently released a single, A Little Big of Action, and has competed in Come Dine With Me, Fool Around With… and Ultimate Big Brother. She now works as a nail technician in London

Anthony Hutton (winner series 6 - 2006) then10 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Anthony Hutton (winner of Big Brother 6 - 2005)

Anthony's antics with Makosi in the hot tub is to this day one of the most talked about elements of Big Brother ever. And we don't think we'll ever get over it.Anthony appeared on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, but has since lived life away from the spotlight and is working as a barber in Durham.

Pete Bennett (winner series 7 -  2006)11 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Pete Bennett (winner of Big Brother 7 - 2006) then

Pete was the winner of what was probably the greatest series of anything to ever grace the telly - BB7.

Pete Bennett (winner series 7 -  2006) now12 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Pete Bennett (winner og Big Brother 7 - 2006) now

After winning the show, Pete was in a relationship with his co-star Nikki Grahame for a short while - but they have since split.He now owns a celebrity cleaning business in Brighton.

Rachel Rice (winner series 8 - 2007) then13 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Rachel Rice (winner of Big Brother 9 - 2008)

Rachel was dubbed the nicest winner in reality TV history because of her tendency to not get involved in arguments. She has since opted for a career out of the spotlight, and is a teacher at a school in Wales.

Brian Belo (winner series 9 - 2008) then14 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Brian Belo (winner of Big Brother 8 - 2007) then

Brian was the youngest Big Brother winner - and was just 19 when he entered the house.

Brian Belo (winner series 9 - 2008) now15 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Brian Belo (winner of Big Brother 9 - 2008) now

After leaving the house, Brian worked for Harry Hill's TV Burp and Big Brother's Big Mouth. He also made headlines in 2013 after he took legal action against the makers of TOWIE. Brian claimed they had stolen the idea from him, and they eventually released a settlement.

Sophie Reade (winner series 10 - 2009) then16 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Sophie Reade (winner of Big Brother 10 - 2009) then

In probably our favourite Big Brother task of all time, Sophie was forced to change her name to 'Dogface' by deed poll during her time in the house.

Sophie Reade (winner series 10 - 2009) now17 of 30
CREDIT: Instagram

Sophie Reade (winner of Big Brother 10 - 2009) now

Sophie is still working as a model for publications such as Playboy and is no longer called Dogface.

Josie Gibson (winner Big Brother 11 - 2010) then18 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Josie Gibson (winner of Big Brother 11 - 2010) then

Josie got together with John James during her time in the house, in what was probably one of our favourite ever Big Brother relationships.

Josie Gibson (winner Big Brother 11 - 2010) now19 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Josie Gibson (winner of Big Brother 11 - 2010) now

Since winning the show, Josie has had a lucrative TV career - and has also gained fame for her seven stone weight loss. She now works as a personal trainer and nutritional adviser.

Aaron Allard-Morgan (winner Big Brother 12 - 2011) then20 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Aaron Allard-Morgan (winner of Big Brother 12 - 2011)

Aaron became the first winner of the show after it's move to Channel 5. After leaving, he made several TV appearances, and also wrote a book about his time on the show.

Luke Anderson (winner Big Brother 13 - 2012) then21 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Luke Anderson (winner of Big Brother 13 - 2012) then

South African-born Chef Luke became the first transgender man to win the show.

Luke Anderson (winner Big Brother 13 - 2012) then22 of 30
CREDIT: Instagram

Luke Anderson (winner of Big Brother 13 - 2012) then

Luke now works as Head Chef at The Pied Bull, the oldest coaching house in Chester. He and his wife also welcomed twins last year.

Sam Evans (winner Big Brother 14 - 2013) then23 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Sam Evans (winner of Big Brother 14 - 2013) then

Sam won the first series presented by Emma Willis in 2013.

Sam Evans (winner Big Brother 14 - 2013) now24 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Sam Evans (winner of Big Brother 14 - 2013) now

After leaving the show, Sam appeared on Welsh TV programme on S4C, in which celebrities try to learn the Welsh language.

Helen Wood (winner Big Brother 15 - 2014) then25 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Helen Wood (winner of Big Brother of 15 - 2014) then

Helen joined the show after hitting headlines for her alleged threesome with Wayne Rooney.

Helen Wood (winner Big Brother of 15 - 2014) now26 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Helen Wood (winner of Big Brother of 15 - 2014) now

After leaving the show, Helen wrote a newspaper column, and has also made various TV appearances. She's also written an autobiography.

Chloe Wilbun (winner of Big Brother 16 - 2015) then27 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Chloe Wilbun (winner of Big Brother 16 - 2015) then

Chloe won the show's 16th series in 2015.

Chloe Wilbun (winner of Big Brother 16 - 2015) now28 of 30
CREDIT: Instagram

Chloe Wilbun (winner of Big Brother 16 - 2015) now

Chloe is now a Medical Cannabis Activist and CBD seller. She's also engaged and has a son.

Jason Burrill (winner of Big Brother 17 - 2016)29 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Jason Burrill (winner of Big Brother 17 - 2016)

After leaving the show, Jason was briefly romantically linked to Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace. According to his Twitter bio, he's working as an actor and a property developer.

Isabelle Warburton (winner of Big Brother 18 - 2017)30 of 30
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Isabelle Warburton (winner of Big Brother 18 - 2017)

Isabelle is currently launching a salon called the Summer Bunny Studio.

"Whilst disappointment not to reach an agreement with Channel 5 the decision opens up a new chapter and we are excited about future possibilities for Big Brother in the UK."

And Channel 5 followed it up with tweets reading: "The forthcoming series of Big Brother will be the last - of either celebrity or civilian versions - on Channel 5. We’d like to thank Endemol and all of the production team who have worked tirelessly to make the show a success."

"We’d also like to thank our brilliant presenters - Emma on Big Brother and Rylan from Bit on the Side - for their consummate professionalism, Marcus, the voice of Big Brother and all of the housemates who have created so many memorable moments.

"Most importantly, we’d like to thank fans of the show for their support over the last seven years. We look forward to giving the final series a brilliant send-off."

The new series of Big Brother, which starts tonight, will go ahead.

Big Brother starts tonight at 9PM on Channel 5.

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