[Scarlett.]

Richard Desmond is in talks to take Big Brother to Channel 5 next year.

The show's run on Channel 4 is to end next month, with last night's Big Brother 11 final to be followed by two and a half weeks of Ultimate Big Brother to find the most popular housemate from the past 10 years.

Talks are now said to be in progress between Channel 5 and Big Brother producer Endemol UK.

However, it is understood the full details of the deal are still to be finalised and no announcement is imminent.

Northern & Shell and Channel 5 declined to comment.

Desmond has publicly declared his interest in buying the series, despite the fact that many observers believe it is a tired format.

Media Guardian