‘Big Brother’ viewers have blasted Channel 5’s half-hearted plans to say goodbye to the reality series.
The broadcaster has confirmed the show will draw to a close with its shortest ever final, despite being billed as a big farewell.
In a break from tradition, the last episode will also air in a graveyard 10pm slot on Monday 5 November, compared to previous finals which have aired at 9pm.
The 75-minute episode, which will see the winner of the 19th series crowned, will be followed by an extended edition of spin-off show ‘Bit On The Side’.
The plans have caused uproar among fans, who have lambasted Channel 5 for letting ‘Big Brother’ go out with a whimper.
Channel 5 announced the current series of ‘Big Brother’ would be the last on the day it launched last month.
Following the news, production company Endemol said they were “excited about future possibilities for ‘Big Brother’ in the UK”, with current reports suggesting Netflix are interested in buying the series.
‘Big Brother’ began on Channel 4 in 2000 with Davina McCall as host, before moving to Channel 5 in 2011, when former housemate and ‘Ultimate Big Brother’ winner Brian Dowling took over.
Emma Willis took the reins in 2013, and recently revealed she would move with the show should it begin airing on another network, although admitted she had “no idea” where it could end up.
Davina has since told of how she believes it should take a break from the schedules before returning to find a new audience.
In an interview with HuffPost UK, she said: “I definitely think it needs resting for a little bit. I think if you rest it, you can muck about with it a little bit and come back to a new audience.
“It’s a new beginning, but don’t say it’s going forever, because I can’t imagine it will.”
‘Big Brother’ airs from Sunday to Friday on Channel 5 at 10pm.