Reality TV juggernaut Big Brother has been axed by Network Ten, amid speculation that the show was on the way out after falling ratings and mixed reactions to new hosts Kyle and Jackie O.
A moderator on Network Ten's Big Brother forum officially announced the news, and the canning was later confirmed by Ten's Rove McManus on Rove.
The former ratings winner has experienced a lackluster 2008 after attempts to revitalise the series were unsuccessful.
Fans decried the decision to remove long running host Gretel Killeen, and replace her with 2DAY FM shock jocks Kyle and Jackie O.
The removal of the popular spin-off Big Brother Up Late was also an unpopular decision among fans.
There have also been suggestions that ratings gimmicks, like the recent addition of Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and party brat Corey Worthington, acted as a death knell for the show.
Behind Big Brother also reported that the Big Brother “concept” will return to Channel 10 in an unspecified form, but won’t be seen until at least 2010.
“Our sources inside the Big Brother compound tell us the announcement was unexpected for the BB producers, who did what they felt was in the best interests of the show and believed this year would be a season benchmark.” the website announced.
Wasting no time to capitalize on the shows demise, the news also emerged that the famous Big Brother house located at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast will be available for rent from July 26.
Aimed at corporate and social events, the iconic open plan one bedroom house can be hired for $2200 a day.