Channel 5 has confirmed that the upcoming series of Big Brother will be its last. The network announced the news in a series of tweets which read:
"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."
Channel 5 went on to thank presenters Emma Willis and Rylan Clark-Neal.
"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."
It's time for this game to end.
The final series of Big Brother starts tonight at 9pm.#BBUK | @bbuk pic.twitter.com/EhyF8pMuvE
— Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) September 14, 2018
Rylan has released a statement expressing his sadness at the news.
"It has been the biggest privilege being a housemate, a winner and a host on my favourite show on the television."
He also thanked Emma Willis, narrator Marcus Bentley and the whole team, saying he hopes the show will one day return.
"I hope one day Big Brother will return but my focus now, as with the rest of the team is to make our last series the best yet."
STATEMENT re @bbuk x pic.twitter.com/cwRU6a0klY
— Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) September 14, 2018
The final series of Big Brother starts tonight at 9pm.
