Celebrity Big Brother is reportedly being axed by ITV, according to recent reports. The broadcaster had previously planned to rest the show for 2026 with a potential move to ITV2 in 2027, but new information suggests it has been completely shelved.
Sources indicate that the decision stems from significant challenges in attracting high-caliber celebrity contestants, with many reportedly prioritizing appearances on the BBC's rival show, 'The Celebrity Traitors.' This trend is said to be impacting other major productions like 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' as well.
The original Celebrity Big Brother first aired in 2001 as a one-off charity spin-off, but its popularity led to 24 series across three different broadcasters over two and a half decades. The most recent celebrity series on ITV concluded in April of last year, with Coronation Street actor Jack P. Shepherd as the winner.
Plans for the show's return have faced repeated delays. Although it was announced that the format would shift to ITV2, this move has not alleviated concerns about casting.
Reports suggest that securing the necessary caliber of celebrities has become a significant hurdle, especially as ITV also needs to cast stars for 'I'm A Celebrity' this autumn and its spin-off, 'The Wild Frontier,' expected in early 2027, coinciding with the initially planned new series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Previous seasons have featured notable personalities such as JoJo Siwa, Patsy Palmer, Mickey Rourke, Sharon Osbourne, and Chris Hughes, yet concerns about viewership figures persist.
This situation echoes similar decisions made for other ITV programs, such as Dancing on Ice, which was also paused due to declining ratings and rising production costs, particularly celebrity fees. The civilian Big Brother's 'Late & Live' spin-off was also canceled two years after its launch due to a failure to gain audience traction.
A spokesperson for ITV stated that "Big Brother returns to ITVX and ITV2 later this year. No decisions have been made for 2027 as yet." The extended gap between series, potentially close to two years, has raised questions about the long-term future of the celebrity version of the show.