Channel 5 bosses have hinted that Big Brother may be coming to an end, after revealing it’s contract with the broadcaster is set to come to an end in December.
Network boss Ben Frow announced the news during the Edinburgh TV Festival and told members of the audience that the current series could be the last viewers might see of the reality stalwart.
He said: ‘I have planned for a year without Big Brother. But never say never. The contract runs out at Christmas.’
Coming to an end? Channel 5 bosses have hinted that Big Brother may be coming to an end, after revealing it’s contract with the broadcaster is set to come to an end in December
MailOnline have contacted a Big Brother and Channel 5 rep for comment.
The news comes after the latest instalment saw just two million viewers tune into the last Thursday’s launch night, a 100,000 less than January’s figures.
The reality stalwart has come under fire despite only being on-air for seven days and already has received over 1100 complaints to Ofcom.
It has also been reported that the latest series of CBB is the most expensive one to date – with show bosses forking out £2.3milllion for this year’s controversial housemates.
According to The Sun, Stormy Daniels reportedly was offered £750,000 for a week-long stay while soap stars Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas were paid £750,000 and £500,000 respectively.
Could be the last? Network boss Ben Frow announced the news during the Edinburgh TV Festival and told members of the audience that the current series could be the last viewers might see of the reality stalwart
Ker-ching: According to The Sun, soap stars Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas were paid £750,000 and £500,000 respectively
Former Arsenal star Jermaine Pennant, American actress Kirstie Alley, psychic Sally Morgan, are said to be earning £200,000 for their time in the Channel 5 compound.
While enemies Chloe Ayling and Natalie Nunn are reported to be getting the same pay packet of £100,000 as ‘Human Ken Doll’ Rodrigo Alves and Dan Osborne are believed to have pocketed £60,000.
Love Island’s Gabby Allen and Nick Leeson are said to have earned £40,000 for her time and Married at First Sight’s Ben Jardine getting a cool £50,000.
Most recently, the show was slammed by a domestic violence charity over referencing Dan Osborne’s previous abusive phone calls he made to a former flame in 2014, in his VT.
Reports: Former Arsenal star Jermaine Pennant and American actress Kirstie Alley are said to be earning £200,000 for their time in the Channel 5 compound
Pay packet: Chloe Ayling is reported to be earning £100,000
Earning: Love Island’s Gabby Allen (L) is said to have earned £40,000 while ‘Human Ken Doll’ pocketed £60,000
The former TOWIE star, 27, entered the Borehamwood house for its latest Eye Of The Storm series, featuring a line-up of celebrities who have each become embroiled in a scandal.
In 2015, fans were left shocked after audio recordings of Dan emerged threatening his former girlfriend Megan Tomlin in expletive-laden phone calls – for which he issued a public apology.
This led to him losing his job on TOWIE and lucrative endorsements including a show with the Dream Boys.
When he entered the CBB compound, the scandal was referenced in his VT, which saw Dan smiling and voicing his belief that he would win the competition.
He said of the 2015 incident: ‘Most people say things when they’re angry that they never mean. I said something that I never ever meant, I’m embarrassed by it. It was a horrible time. I think it was my children that kept me going.’
Criticism: Most recently, the show was slammed by a domestic violence charity over referencing Dan Osborne’s previous abusive phone calls he made to a former flame in 2014, in his VT
Controversy: In 2015, fans were left shocked after audio recordings of Dan emerged threatening his former girlfriend Megan Tomlin in expletive-laden phone calls – for which he issued a public apology (pictured in 2013)
Solace Women’s Aid, a charity which provides help and support to survivors of domestic violence told MailOnline they were saddened by CBB recruiting Dan for the show, and the threatening phone calls referenced in his VT.
A spokesman said: ‘We are disappointed that Celebrity Big Brother have taken this stance particularly when TOWIE removed (Dan Osborne) from the show.
‘ITV took a strong position that domestic violence is never acceptable and any influential broadcaster has a social responsibility to take a stand against it, otherwise this kind of behaviour is normalised and women’s lives are at stake.
‘In this case the victim came forward with evidence of abuse and whether a charge was brought against Osborne or not is immaterial. A threat to kill will have a devastating impact, it’s frightening and never okay, and the trauma will stay with the victim for years after.
Eye of the storm: When he entered the CBB compound, the scandal was referenced in his VT, which saw Dan smiling and voicing his belief that he would win the competition
‘By having Osborne on Celebrity Big Brother is an opportunity to rehabilitate his image, not his behaviour and what message does this send to the public and especially to the 1.9 million people affected by domestic violence every year in the UK.
‘We look to channels like 5 to move on from this decision and become amazing and strong advocates for women.
‘We invite them to come and meet some of the women and children affected by domestic violence and come behind the scenes at Solace to gain insight into women’s lived experience of abuse.”
A representative for Channel 5 declined to comment to MailOnline.
In November 2014, Dan was reportedly arrested after a fight with Megan before being released without charge. The reality star and his ex got into a row which reportedly ended with Dan’s arrest on suspicion of assault.
Statement: Solace Women’s Aid told Grazia they were saddened by CBB recruiting Dan for the show, and the threatening phone calls referenced in his VT
The then-23-year-old was allegedly questioned by police after his altercation with Megan Tomlin in her Essex home. A police spokesman said: ‘A man was arrested at around 11.30am on Monday 10 November. He was later released without charge.’
Back in February 2015, an expletive-laden audio-taped recording – heard by MailOnline and allegedly secretly taken by Megan in November 2014 at her home in front of their young son – was released by one newspaper.
Dan can be heard referring to Megan as his ‘property’ before threatening to ‘knife’ her if she met another man.
For his part, Dan recently took to his Twitter account to deny allegations of violence toward his ex.
Ensuring he made his point clear, Osborne, who engaged in a few back and forth conversations with his followers added: ‘Wasn’t and never have been violent towards any woman. Ever.’
He said: ‘It has taken me a while to find the right words but I would like to say that I am truly sorry to anyone who was offended by what they heard.’
‘I am ashamed and embarrassed that I allowed myself to reach such a dark place that I behaved in a way that even I didn’t recognise.
‘While I acknowledge that there is absolutely no excuse for my deeply regrettable behaviour, I plead for some understanding that I had no intention of violence.’
He went on to explain that all steps were being taken to resolve all issues for the benefit of his son Teddy.
He added that the words said in the tape allegedly given to the Sun on Sunday were ‘said in anger and desperation’ but that there are two sides to every story.
Dan and Megan dated for 18 months before splitting in April 2013 but had remained close for the sake of their son, who was born that December.
Dan went on to have two daughters with wife Jacqueline Jossa, but the couple went their separate ways in May, although have sparked reconciliation rumours.
Split: Dan went on to have two daughters with wife Jacqueline Jossa, but the couple went their separate ways in May, although have sparked reconciliation rumours
This comes as Life Water pulled out of their involvement with the show, over producers failing to evict housemate Rodrigo Alves for using the n-word.
In a statement to MailOnline the company said: ‘Life Water has regrettably ended its sponsorship of Celebrity Big Brother after six series following the producers’ failure to evict housemate Rodrigo Alves for using deeply offensive racist language.
‘Life Water continues to urge Celebrity Big Brother to reconsider its decision.’
A CBB spokesman told MailOnline: ‘We’re naturally disappointed to hear that Life Water will no longer be connected to Big Brother in a product placement capacity but we respect their right to take this decision.
‘To be clear about our position, Big Brother finds any kind of racially offensive language completely unacceptable and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in the Big Brother house.’
Complaints to Ofcom over the show hit 1138, 1077 of which regarding ‘Human Ken Doll’ Rodrigo’s use of the offensive language.
The star was reprimanded by Big Brother just hours after entering the house on Thursday, as he received a formal warning for his use of inappropriate language.
In an evening which saw him flirt up a storm with Ben Jardine and grill Gabby Allen on her love life, the media personality caused viewer outrage after saying ‘I prefer n***** boys.’
Controversy: This comes as Life Water pulled out of their sponsorship of the show, over producers failing to evict housemate Rodrigo Alves for using the n-word
The exchange came as Rodrigo and Bad Girls Club star Natalie Nunn were bombarding Gabby with questions about her relationship with Dan Osborne, as she proclaimed they were nothing more than friends.
As Rodrigo admitted the ex-TOWIE star was ‘nice to look at,’ Gabby said: ‘That was what the most annoying thing, we got on great as mates, my ex-boyfriend said something went on. We couldn’t really be friends after that but that was it.’
Referring to his relationship with actress Jacqueline Jossa, Dan said: ‘I am married yeah, but we separated.’
Rodrigo then left his housemates outraged by saying: ‘I prefer n**** boys!’
The scene then cut to Rodrigo being spoken to by Big Brother the following day, as they gave him a formal and final warning.
Rodrigo admitted: ‘I do understand. Last night I was very excited to be here, and I had quite a lot to drink, and I was intoxicated. I was drunk. In fact I was very drunk, and today I’m very hungover, I’ve been drinking a lot of water.
‘I obviously regret that, the fact that I used the N-word. That was not necessary at all. It was just excitement, I’d had quite a lot to drink.’
Big Brother responded that his drunken state was ‘not an excuse,’ and later tweeted a statement which read: ‘Big Brother does not tolerate the use of highly offensive, racially charged language in the House.
‘Rodrigo has received a formal and final warning and if he uses such language again, he will be removed immediately. Rodrigo has apologised for his comments.’
Offensive: Complaints to Ofcom over the show hit 1138, 1077 of which regarding ‘Human Ken Doll’ Rodrigo’s use of the offensive language