Reality series Big Brother is set for a comeback next year after five years off our screens.
The popular series aired on Channel 4 from 2000-2010, before its move to Channel 5 in 2011. After eight series on 5, the show was axed in 2018. The series has now been recommissioned by ITV2 and is set for a comeback next year, with the 2023 edition to air on ITV2 and ITVX.
Since ITV’s announcement, rumours have been flying around who will host the new series. Sky Bet has now revealed its betting odds on who is in the running to be the new series presenter.
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Rylan Clark
Sky’s frontrunner to host the new series is TV star Rylan Clark. Clark, 33, was crowned winner of Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 and went on to host Big Brother's Bit on the Side for five years to 2018.
However, the Celebrity Gogglebox star was quick to shut down speculation on social media. Taking to Twitter, he said: “Should clarify, I’ve not been asked to host the show. As a fan, I’m made up it’s coming back. Welcome back bro."
He also shared his wishes for the format of the show’s return, including the need for “some form of live feed” and the inclusion of “normal housemates from all walks [of life].”
Sky Bet’s odds on Clark becoming host are 1/2.
Maya Jama
Second behind Clark is TV and radio presenter Maya Jama. Jama, 27, is known for her work at the Brit Awards in 2017 and for co-presenting BBC One's Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer - she also hosted her own Radio 1 show from 2018-2020.
Jama was also quick shut down speculation after Twitter account ‘Big Brother’ @ITV2Xtra shared an image of her Instagram account where she allegedly began following former Big Brother hosts Davina McCall and Emma Willis. According to the account, Jama also recently began following fellow contender Rylan on Twitter.
Jama responded: “Don’t wanna burst any bubbles but I've been following them all for years.”
Sky Bet’s odds on Jame becoming host are 5/1.
Leigh Francis
Comedian Leigh Francis is also allegedly in the running, according to Sky. Francis, 49, is better known as his comedy alter-ego Keith Lemon, who presented the popular ITV panel show Celebrity Juice for 26 series since 2008.
Earlier this year, it was announced Celebrity Juice had been cancelled by ITV, with the series to conclude with two specials set to air in late 2022. If Francis does turn out to be the new Big Brother host, it is unclear if he will appear as himself or as his comic persona Keith Lemon.
Sky Bet’s odds on Francis becoming host are 5/1.
Alison Hammond
ITV This Morning presenter Alison Hammond is also in the running to front the reality show’s comeback. Last week, fellow ITV presenter Kate Garraway threw her support behind Hammond, 47, who appeared in the third series of the reality show in 2002.
Garraway said: “We were talking upstairs about our very own daytime queen Alison Hammond. Oh, she’d be great.”
Sky Bet’s odds on Hammond becoming host are 10/1.
Hammond's fellow This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby is also a bookies favourite with odds of 9/1, though she is yet to respond to the speculation.
Also in the running to host the new series are former cricketer and League of Their Own star Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff (12/1) and former Big Brother presenter Emma Willis (16/1).
The show's return was teased during an advert that aired during the Love Island finale last week.
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