Big Brother 'set to be EXTENDED this autumn in major ITV shake-up' - as Celebrity spin-off faces two-year hiatus
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It was recently reported that Celebrity Big Brother will be rested for two years.
However, the civilian series appears to be going from strength to strength, with ITV bosses reportedly drawing up secret plans to extend the autumn run by a whole week, serving up eight weeks of drama in the house.
Fans of the show, which first launched in 2000 on Channel 4, are said to have long called for a longer series, as the action often only starts to heat up towards the final weeks.
A source told The Sun: 'Despite the hold on the celeb version, ITV has always insisted that the programme is what they call a ‘priority reality format.'
They continued: 'So it’s reassuring to see plans like this being on the table.
'Extending by a week is something fans have been calling for as past runs have shown the action really only heats up in the latter days.'
Big Brother bosses are reportedly drawing up secret plans to extend the autumn run by a whole week, serving up eight weeks of drama in the house (last year's contestants pictured)
Fans of the show, which first launched in 2000 on Channel 4, are said to have long called for a longer series, as the action often only starts to heat up towards the final weeks (hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best pictured)
The source added that the civilian series is 'far cheaper' to produce than its celebrity counterpart, making the return on investment worthwhile.
They also claimed ITV remains fully committed to the format and already has plenty of ideas to keep the show feeling fresh, with an extended run said to be one option currently under consideration.
Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.
The show, hosted by AJ Odudu, 37, and Will Best, 40, has proved a hit with viewers, racking up more than 150 million streams on ITVX, while the most recent civilian series averaged around one million viewers per episode.
The news comes after the Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Big Brother host AJ could reportedly quit her role on the show.
The presenter, who fronts the show alongside Will, is said to be keeping all options open following previous reports that Celebrity Big Brother will be rested for two-years.
AJ has the option to walk away from the show as the hosts' contracts for the civilian version later this year have not been confirmed, according to The Sun.
'Both hosts will plan most of their other TV work around fronting Big Brother, but that's incredibly difficult when so much is up in the air,' a TV source told the publication.
A source told The Sun: 'Despite the hold on the celeb version, ITV has always insisted that the programme is what they call a 'priority reality format. So it’s reassuring to see plans like this being on the table' (Caroline from last year's series pictured)
They continued: 'Extending by a week is something fans have been calling for as past runs have shown the action really only heats up in the latter days'
'AJ, in particular, will have plenty of offers and usually makes decisions on taking other jobs based on recording dates for BB, as it's her biggest gig and commitment.
'The uncertainty puts her and Will in a tricky position. One of them could still remain on the show as traditionally there has only been one presenter. Losing a host would also be a substantial cost saving for ITV.'
The insider added if AJ may not resume her role of host if Will leaves, as they 'very much came as a pair' when they were announced as the hosts of the iconic show back in 2023.
Daily Mail contacted AJ's representatives and ITV for comment.
The most recent celebrity series aired on ITV in April last year, with Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd emerging victorious.
However, plans for its return have been repeatedly pushed back, with the show now thought to be off air until at least 2027 amid 'ongoing difficulties securing big name housemates'.
The format had been announced it would shift to ITV2, with the move failing to ease casting concerns behind the scenes.
A source told The Sun previously: 'Despite announcing the programme was moving from ITV1 to sister channel ITV2, fans were still expecting another series this year.
The news comes after the Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Big Brother host AJ could reportedly quit her role on the show (pictured 2025)
The presenter, 37, who fronts the show alongside Will Best, 40, is said to be keeping all options open following previous reports that Celebrity Big Brother will be rested for two-years
The most recent celebrity series aired on ITV in April last year, with singer Jo Jo Siwa and ex Love Islander Chris Hughes striking up a relationship
'Executives also confirmed it wouldn't be returning to the March/April air date it's had for the last two seasons, and instead would have to go out in late 2026.'
They added: 'The latest development is likely to rock devotees when they realise it will be almost two years between series, which is relatively unusual for a big ITV show.'
The lengthy disappearance also fuelled speculation about the long-term future of the celebrity version.
The source said: 'It does also raise questions over CBB's long-term future'.
It is thought the show has not been able to attract enough viewers, despite featuring the likes of JoJo Siwa, ex-Eastender Patsy Palmer, veteran actor Mickey Rourke, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne and ex-Love Islander Chris Hughes.
An ITV spokesman told The Daily Mail: 'We are committed to both Celebrity Big Brother and Big Brother beyond 2025, and scheduling for any new series will be confirmed in due course.
'The show remains a priority reality format for us having recently hit 150 million streams on ITVX.'
Similar action has already been taken with Dancing on Ice, which was paused for this year as ratings declined while production costs - particularly celebrity fees - continued to climb.
In March 2025, ITV announced that the Sunday night staple hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern had been 'rested' with 'no current plans for another series'.
The decision meant the ice-skating competition, which started in 2006, won't celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
It's another blow for the channel who also axed the civilian Big Brother's Late & Live spin-off, just two years after its launch, for failing to win over audiences.
