Everything You Need To Know About The Big Brother Reboot

To quote a famous catchphrase from former Big Brother host Davina McCall: d’ya fancy another one? During an ad break of the Love Island finale earlier this year, ITV2 confirmed that the rumours fluttering around about a potential comeback for the claustrophobic reality TV series were true. The long-running show, which last aired in 2018, will finally return to our screens. Twitter has had plenty to say about Big Brother’s return.

The question is, who will be at the helm? From Big Brother’s OG veteran Davina McCall (who hosted the show for a decade, starting with its inception in 2000) to Channel 5 presenters AJ Odudu, Emma Willis, and Rylan Clark, and a much-loved former housemate, there are many names in the running. Read on for everything we know about the Big Brother reboot.

ITV2’s Big Brother Release Date

In the press release confirming the series’ return, Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning & Acquisitions and Controller at ITV2, said the reboot was a “refreshed, contemporary new series” which would “contain all the familiar format points that kept viewers engaged and entertained the first time round, but with a brand new look and some additional twists that speak to today’s audience.” He added: “We’re beyond excited to bring this iconic series to ITV2 and ITVX, where it should especially engage with our younger viewers.” Producers Natalka Znak, who has worked on Love Island, and Claire O’Donohoe, who has worked on the likes of The Masked Singer, are among those at the helm of the upcoming series.

ITV confirmed at the time that Big Brother would air on ITV2 and ITVX in 2023. And though it was first thought to be a summer release date, The Mirror reported that filming would begin "in May" 2023, putting it in-line with the series original running dates. Radio Times has since claimed that the broadcaster “decided to move Big Brother to the autumn.”

Owing to “the influx of big reality TV programming” scheduled for the first half of 2022 (namely two series of Love Island and a special series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! set in South Africa), ITV has confirmed to Bustle that they have “taken the decision” to move the transmission of Big Brother to “a more prominent slot in the Autumn.” (Cue the tears.) “This gives our viewers a whole calendar of big reality TV formats across the year,” per the statement.

How To Apply For ITV2’s Big Brother

Aspiring housemates can now apply for Big Brother UK 2023 online. “We’re looking for the nation’s most interesting, funny, and entertaining characters from all walks of life,” an ITV statement reads. “If you want an amazing experience and a chance of winning an incredible amount of money, we’d love to hear from you.” Applications close on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

Who Will Host ITV2’s Big Brother?

ITV is yet to announce who will host the reboot, but as 2022 draws to a close, the broadcaster is reportedly in talks to secure a presenter. The Sun reports that AJ Odudu — who used to co-present Big Brother spin-off show Bit On The Side in 2013 — is in the running. According to an unnamed source, “AJ has been offered the Big Brother job and jumped at the opportunity. It’s a huge boost to her career. AJ and ITV are still ironing out details in her contract but she has told a lot of people the job is hers.”

According to The Sun, an ITV spokesperson said of the rumours: “All suggestions surrounding the host are speculation at this stage.” Bustle has reached out to representatives of ITV for comment.

Earlier this year, TV presenter Alison Hammond, who appeared as a housemate on Big Brother 2002, emerged as an early favourite to front the new series. Speaking to the Mirror, a source claimed that the This Morning host is “top of the list” to present ITV2’s Big Brother in 2023. “Execs think she’s exactly what the show needs. She’s energetic, fun, relatable and she was on the show, so she knows it inside out,” the insider added.

Speaking to Metro, however, an ITV spokesperson said any reports of Hammond’s rumoured hosting duties are “pure speculation” at this point.

Elsewhere, The Sun reports that former Celebrity Big Brother Season 11 winner and much-loved co-presenter of the Channel 5 series, Rylan Clark, could be in line for the hosting gig. “Rylan put himself front and centre with a number of telly producers the moment he found out Big Brother was coming back,” a source claimed. “He absolutely loves the show and when the announcement broke he texted a handful of people to show just how excited he was about Big Brother’s return.”

Clark also stoked flames in July when he tweeted an emoji with a zipped mouth, hinting at a secret he’s keeping under wraps. “OMG Rylan, you’re a terrible tease,” replied actor Marcus Bentley, best known as the man behind the iconic voiceover of Big Brother. However, Clark has since taken to Twitter to explain that he’s not been asked back yet.

The bookies have other ideas, meanwhile. At Ladbrokes, the show’s OG host Davina McCall is the runaway favourite to retake the helm. The longest-standing presenter of the show, McCall oversaw the show from 2000 until 2010, and has been there for legendary moments ranging from Hammond’s iconic table break to Chantelle Houghton going undercover, pretending to be famous, and eventually winning Celebrity Big Brother 4.

Big Brother will air on ITV2 on ITVX in 2023.