Big Brother (British TV series)
Reality competition with housemates under constant surveillance.
Big Brother is the British version of the international reality television franchise created by John de Mol Jr. in 1997. Broadcast yearly from 18 July 2000 to 5 November 2018, and again from 8 October 2023, the show follows a group of contestants, known as 'housemates', living together in an isolated house under continuous surveillance. The concept derives from George Orwell's novel 1984, though the show's Big Brother acts as an authoritative voice akin to O'Brien. Housemates are evicted by public televoting, and the last remaining wins a cash prize.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Reality competition
- Based On
- Big Brother · John de Mol Jr.
- Presenter
- Davina McCall / Brian Dowling / Emma Willis / AJ Odudu / Will Best
- Narrator
- Marcus Bentley
- Theme Music Composer
- Elementfour
- Open Theme
- "Big Brother UK TV Theme"
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Num Series
- 23
- Num Episodes
- 1602
- Location
- 3 Mills Studios (2000–2001) / Elstree Studios (2002–2018) / Garden Studios (2023–2024) / Versa Studios (2025–present)
- Network
- Channel 4
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series premiered in 2000 on Channel 4 and immediately became a ratings hit, featuring a 24-hour live feed. It aired for eleven series on Channel 4, followed by Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. Channel 5 acquired the rights and relaunched it in 2011. On the day of the nineteenth series launch in 2018, Channel 5 announced the show would not return after that series concluded. In 2020, E4 aired Big Brother: Best Shows Ever to mark the 20th anniversary. In 2022, ITV announced a relaunch on ITV2, which premiered in 2023 and has aired annually since.
Reader's Guide
Big Brother (British TV series) was a landmark in reality television, originating from John de Mol Jr.'s 1997 concept. Its British edition ran from 2000 to 2018 on Channel 4 and Channel 5, then returned on ITV2 in 2023. The show's significance lies in its pioneering use of 24-hour surveillance and public voting to determine a winner, influencing countless other reality formats. It sparked cultural conversations about privacy, voyeurism, and social dynamics. The series produced numerous spin-offs, most notably Celebrity Big Brother, and featured a rotating cast of presenters including Davina McCall, Brian Dowling, Emma Willis, and later AJ Odudu and Will Best. Marcus Bentley narrated every series. The show's legacy includes memorable winners such as Craig Phillips, Brian Dowling, and Nadia Almada, the first transgender winner. Its cancellation and revival reflect its enduring popularity and adaptability.
Did You Know?
- The show's concept of surveillance derives from George Orwell's novel 1984, but Big Brother acts more like O'Brien.
- The first series premiered on 18 July 2000 and ended with Craig Phillips as winner after 64 days.
- Nadia Almada, winner of the fifth series, was the first transgender housemate to win the programme.
- Marcus Bentley has served as the off-screen narrator of all series since the show premiered in 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Big Brother return after its original run ended?
The show wrapped its original broadcast on 5 November 2018 and then resumed with a new series on 8 October 2023.
Who hosts the revived Big Brother?
AJ Odudu and Will Best took over presenting duties for the 2023 revival, replacing Emma Willis who fronted the final series in 2018.
Which channel airs Big Brother now?
After spending its first decade on Channel 4 and its next stretch on Channel 5, the revived series moved to ITV2 from 2023 onward.
What inspired the Big Brother format?
The show's name and constant-surveillance concept draw from George Orwell's 1984, though the in-show Big Brother functions more like the commanding voice of O'Brien than the literal all-seeing eye of the novel.
How are housemates eliminated in Big Brother?
Viewers vote to evict housemates through public televoting, and the final remaining contestant takes home a cash prize.
More in British television series revived after cancellation 1-24
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