Today Channel 5 released a statement confirming that neither Big Brother nor Celebrity Big Brother will be returning after the current civilian series (which starts tonight) ends.
The statement 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.
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."
Presenter of Big Brother's Bit on the Side and former Celebrity Big Brother winner Rylan Clark-Neal took to Twitter and Instagram to give his own statement, which read:
"After 6 years working on one of the most iconic shows on television I'm saddened to hear the news Big Brother won't be returning. It has been the biggest privilege being a housemate, a winner and a host on my favourite show on the television.
To work with Emma, Marcus and the amazing team on BOTS every day and have made friends for life I'm truly the luckiest guy in the industry.
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.
I'd like to thank all of our guests, housemates and teams from over the years, Endemol and Channel 5 for having me and most of all the viewers for sharing this amazing journey. I learned how to host a show on the job here and I;ll be forever grateful for the opportunity. R x"
In their statement, Endemol have spoken about the possibility of the Big Brother franchise returning in the future. It read:
"We are incredibly proud of Big Brother which has consistently been the highest rated show for Chanel 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 16-24s.
This performance is credit to the fantastic production team, plus Emma, Rylan, Marcus and the many housemates who have delivered many unmissable series.
Big Brother continues to be a global phenomenon. The UK is one of 20 countries where the show will 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.
Whilst disappointed 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."
After a ten-year run on Channel 4, Big Brother moved to Channel 5 in 2011 with eight more series and 14 more series of Celebrity Big Brother, the most recent of which ended earlier this week with former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas being crowned the winner.
Big Brother airs every night at 9pm on Channel 5