IT'S OVER
CELEBRITY Big Brother will be been axed after seven years on Channel 5, according to new reports.
Bosses have decided to end the show after the upcoming series due to a ratings slump.
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A source told the : "After months of discussions it has been decided to axe Celebrity Big Brother. Ratings have dropped for the past few series so it isn’t worth the hefty price tag."
Earlier this year Channel 5 began taking pitches for shows to replace the once hugely popular reality TV show.
Industry magazine reports that if Big Brother and its celebrity version were to be cut – Channel 5 would be left with more than 110 hours of primetime TV to fill.
There is still an existing deal in place, which will ensure Big Brother airs this summer, followed by the celebrity version.
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The last series of civilian Big Brother failed to attract a massive audience, as viewing figures slipped by almost half a million.
The 2016 series had a 1.6million average, while the summer 2017 series had a 1.2million average.
However the most recent series of Celebrity Big Brother saw an increase in viewers – going from a 1.8million average to 1.9million.
Viewers watched as drag star Courtney Act beat Ann Widdecombe in the special Year of The Women edition.
CBB Bit on the Side host and show super fan Rylan Clark recently said he would be devastated if the show was axed.
He told The Sun: "If it didn't come back, I would be utterly devastated.
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"I can't imagine TV without Big Brother. When Channel 4 got rid of it, I rang the helpline in Heat magazine. I was that devastated.
"Not many reality shows can say they've been on air for 18 years. I'd love to see it make 20 years – of course I would.
"I think it's time to make Big Brother what it was. I've always had one million per cent faith in the format and that it can be the greatest show on telly."
The Sun Online has contacted Channel 5 for comment.
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