CELEBRITY Big Brother is being rested until 2027 after struggling to attract big-name housemates.

The second and most recent ITV1 series aired last April, but it is not expected to return until spring next year on ITV2.

Celebrity Big Brother host AJ OduduCredit: Splash

Ex-EastEnders star Patsy Palmer was on Celeb Big BrotherCredit: ITV

Veteran actor Mickey Rourke appeared on the showCredit: ITV
It means the reality show, hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, will be off our screens for almost two years.

A TV insider said: “Despite announcing the programme was moving from ITV1 to sister channel ITV2, fans were still expecting another series this year.

“Executives also confirmed it wouldn’t be returning to the March/April air date it’s had for the last two seasons, and instead would have to go out in late 2026.

“So the latest development is likely to rock devotees when they realise it will be almost two years between series, which is relatively unusual for a big ITV show.

“It also raises questions over CBB’s long-term future.”

Last spring cash-strapped ITV rested Dancing on Ice, which was ­suffering from falling ratings while producers still had to shell out for celebrity contestants.

There are no plans for another series.

Last summer, ITV boss Kevin Lygo admitted the channel was “in a battle about the price” with CBB production company Endemol.

He also confirmed that after last year’s series on ITV1 it would move to ITV2, claiming celeb signings there could be “more interesting and niche”.

He added: “We’re thinking NOT on the main channel, that’s the answer. It’s so difficult now to book big celebrities, famous people, which is what we need on the main channel.” It is believed ITV went big on guests for the first two series of CBB, which came after they rebooted the non- celebrity version on ITV2.

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Among the famous contestants were ex-EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, veteran actor Mickey Rourke, singer Jojo Siwa, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne and ex-Love Island star Chris Hughes.

Although the show enjoyed more than 150million streams on catch-up service ITVX, the most recent series had on-the-night viewing figures of between one and two million.

The non-celebrity series, which has had three outings since 2023, is expected to return to ITV2 in October.

A spokesman for ITV said: “We are committed to both Celebrity Big Brother and Big Brother beyond 2025, and scheduling for any new series will be confirmed in due course. The show remains a priority reality format for us.”

Singer Jojo Siwa was a contestantCredit: ITV

X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne competedCredit: Rex

Ex-Love Island star Chris Hughes also appeared on the reality showCredit: ITV