Celebrity Big Brother gets Channel 4 axe
Updated on 24 August 2007
Reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother will be consipicious by its absence from the television schedules next January, after Channel 4 confirmed the programme would not feature in 2008.
It is expected to return in 2009.
The broadcaster cited a need for "createive renewal" for its decision to axe the show and other reality TV programmes including You Are What You Eat, Brat Camp and It's Me or the Dog.
Grand Designs will survive the 2008 cull.
The absence of Celebrity Big Brother will leave a 29 hour hole in the schedules at the beginning of next year. It is understood that Channel 4 will look to reduce its US series acquisition by £10m to cover the expected loss in advertising revenues.
This year's Celebrity Big Brother was marred by controversy. Ofcom charged Channel 4 of "serious editorial misjudgement" in its dealing with racist remarks aimed at Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty (pictured above).
