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Channel 5 axes Big Brother for UK version of The Bachelor

More TV dating is headed our way

Dry those tears, Big Brother fans, because we have amazing reality-telly-related news.

Following the announcement on Friday morning that Big Brother has been axed after 18 years, it’s been reported that Channel 5 is making a UK version of huge US show The Bachelor.

If you’re not familiar, The Bachelor turns love into a numbers game, by placing one man in a house full of women. They then compete for his affections risking elimination during the infamous ‘rose ceremonies’.

the bachelor US bachelorabc instagram
The US version has enjoyed 22 series (credit: bachelorabc Instagram)

The show has been so successful in America, it’s not only endured 22 series, but there have also been a dozen spin-offs, including The Bachelorette, Bachelor Pad, Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise, and The Bachelor Winter Games.

It’s not the first time the show has been made for British screens – in fact it originally appeared on BBC3 in 2003.

It was later recreated with celebrity contestants on Channel 5. Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews and rugby star Gavin Henson both appeared before it was cancelled in 2013.

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The Made In Chelsea star was the last to appear on its last iteration (Credit: Channel 5)

But with the mega success of rival shows such Love Island, romance is back on the reality agenda.

Filming for the ten-part series is set to begin later this year in South Africa.

Read more: Josie Gibson announces birth of first child

Channel 5 confirmed on Friday that both Celebrity Big Brother and Big Brother will not return after this year.

The celebrity edition of the show ended on Monday night after former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas was announced as the winner.

Terry Scott / Flynet - SplashNews
The flawless Emma has been the show’s biggest cheerleader (Credit: SplashNews)

Meanwhile, the new civilian series of Big Brother is set to begin on Friday 14 September. However, this will be the show’s last series.

In a statement released to Twitter, Channel 5 said: “The forthcoming series of Big Brother will be the last – of either celebrity or civilian versions – on Channel 5.

Channel 5 thanked its stars (Credit: Twitter)

“We’d like to thank Endemol and all of the production team who have worked tirelessly to make the show a success.

“We’d also like to thank our brilliant presenters – Emma on Big Brother and Rylan from Bit on the Side – for their consummate professionalism, Marcus, the voice of Big Brother and all of the housemates who have created so many memorable moments.”

Rylan on Bit On The Side
Rylan was hilarious on spin-off Bit on the Side (credit: Channel 5)

They added: “Most importantly, we’d like to thank fans of the show for their support over the last seven years. We look forward to giving the final series a brilliant send-off.”

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We’re going to miss our Big Brother fix, but how good does The Bachelor sound? And where exactly do we apply?

Will you be watching The Bachelor? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor