Channel 5 controller Ben Frow has said he “never” regrets axing Big Brother and has no plans for a similar reality show on the channel.
The TV chief called time on the long-running reality show in 2018 amid a ratings slump.
The programme – which saw housemates live together in a custom-built home for weeks without access to the outside world in a bid to win a cash prize – started in 2000 on Channel 4 and Channel 5 took over in 2011.
Starting in 5 minutes is our sit down with Ben Frow, Channel 5's director of programmes in our first of today's Meet the Controller sessions! Sponsored by @freeviewtv #EdTVFest pic.twitter.com/bYMUbM4zqV
— Edinburgh TV Festival (@EdinburghTVFest) August 25, 2020
Asked if he ever regrets giving the show the boot, Mr Frow told the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival: “Never.”
When asked if he would introduce another similar show, he said: “No, right now I couldn’t afford it, the world is very crowded with reality shows, I think there are supreme reality shows out there.
“Don’t go where you can’t be the best, turn left and go in a different direction and provide an alternative.”
Here's thirty seconds of Michael Barrymore repeatedly smashing eggs against his head for you. 👍 #BBUK pic.twitter.com/qDk6y5jDP3
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) June 21, 2020
Mr Frow also addressed the claim that the channel is very “Yorkshire-heavy and white”, saying: “Yorkshire is very white. We have to make much more effort, sometimes when I’m talking to producers they say, ‘it’s very white’, and I say find them, you’ve got to make the extra effort, that is something that is always in the back of our minds though.
“Yorkshire is part of Channel 5’s DNA.”