Big Brother 2026 Premiere Date and Celebrity Twist Revealed

The new season of Big Brother is scheduled to launch on Sunday, September 13th, and will include a significant twist involving former Celebrity Big Brother contestants. This series is also set to be ITV's longest run, extending to a total of eight weeks.

Sources indicate that producers are planning to introduce celebrity housemates into the civilian version of the show shortly after the initial launch. This concept draws inspiration from Sharon Osbourne's appearance as a 'house lodger' in a previous Celebrity Big Brother season. Celebrities who participated in Celebrity Big Brother during its runs on Channel 4 and Channel 5 are reportedly being considered, with Gemma Collins being a top target for producers. Other desired celebrity guests include Kerry Katona and JoJo Siwa.

Details are still being finalized, with plans suggesting some celebrities will enter as guest residents for specific tasks, while others might stay for longer stints. This strategic move aims to surprise the existing housemates and generate buzz for the new season.

In addition to the celebrity twist, the show is undergoing other changes. The spin-off show "Late and Live" is reportedly being axed in favor of a nightly vodcast, mirroring the format of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!". The aftershow will now broadcast five nights a week.

AJ Odudu and Will Best are confirmed to return as hosts. This comes as Will Best is also expected to participate in "Strictly Come Dancing" during the same period.

The decision to incorporate former Celebrity Big Brother stars into the main show comes amidst reports that ITV may be phasing out the standalone Celebrity Big Brother series. This is reportedly due to challenges in attracting high-caliber celebrity contestants, with many now prioritizing appearances on shows like "The Celebrity Traitors." This situation is also impacting other major reality programs, such as "Strictly Come Dancing" and "I'm a Celebrity," which rely on star power for viewership. The timing also presents a conflict, as ITV is expected to be producing "I'm a Celebrity" and its spin-off "The Wild Frontier" in early 2027, the same period when a new Celebrity Big Brother series might have been considered.

While a spokesperson confirmed that "Big Brother" returns to ITVX and ITV2 later this year, they stated that no decisions have been made regarding programming for 2027. The most recent Celebrity Big Brother series aired in April of the previous year, with Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd emerging as the winner.