The REAL reason Sonia Kruger and Gretel Killeen weren’t invited back to host Big Brother – as Channel 10 announces a fresh face for 2025 reboot

Last week, Channel 10 dropped a bombshell announcement – Big Brother will be returning to the network in 2025 after spending four years on Channel Seven. 

However, fans may be surprised to learn that familiar faces Sonia Kruger and Gretel Killeen, who previously hosted the show, were never in the running for the hosting gig.

An industry insider revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle that neither Sonia nor Gretel were ever considered for the 2025 reboot.

While both women are synonymous with past seasons of Big Brother – Sonia having hosted its latest run on Channel Seven and Gretel being the original face of the show in the early 2000s – Channel 10 opted for something different this time around.

‘Network 10 wanted someone fresh that felt similar to the network hiring Gretel back in 2001,’ the insider explained.

‘Mel Tracina is hoping to bring something unique to the format but her sense of humour, support of women, and not being afraid to take men to task will echo a lot of what Gretel Killeen did with the format.’

Fans of the iconic reality series remember Killeen for her sharp wit and fearless hosting style, which became a defining feature of Big Brother in the early years. 

However, with Tracina stepping in, it seems the network is keen to bring in new energy for the reboot, without straying too far from what made the show a hit.

An insider revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle that Channel 10’s focus was on finding fresh talent to lead the revival. Pictured new host Mel Tracina

Adding to the drama, it has been revealed that Channel 10’s announcement was met with resistance from Channel Seven.

According to TV Tonight, Channel Seven issued a legal letter to Endemol Shine Australia, the production company behind the show, reminding them of a ‘hold back’ on the Big Brother format until mid-2025.

This contractual clause prevents any new production activities, including casting or announcing a host, until the clause expires.

 ‘Mel Tracina is hoping to bring something unique to the format but her sense of humour, support of women, and not being afraid to take men to task will echo a lot of what Gretel Killeen did with the format,’ a source told the outlet. Gretel is pictured 

‘You can’t start production in the middle of a hold back,’ a source told TV Tonight. ‘You can’t be casting, you can’t be announcing hosts or signing deals.

Despite this, Channel 10 remains optimistic about moving forward with their plans for 2025.

For die-hard fans, Big Brother’s return to Channel 10 feels like a homecoming. The series first premiered on the network in 2001 and ran for nine successful seasons, including a celebrity edition, until 2008.

After a brief hiatus, Channel Nine picked up the series, only for it to later move to Channel Seven in 2020.

With Mel Tracina now locked in as the new host, viewers are eagerly awaiting what the reboot will bring.

While the format may have changed over the years, it looks like the fresh-faced presenter will channel some of the original magic Killeen brought to the show – but with her own twist.