[Jackie]

FRANTIC Big Brother bosses are TRIPLING their budget for the final week to make sure the lacklustre series goes off with a bang.

They have even offered evicted muscleman Mario megabucks to return to the house to propose to girlfriend Lisa in an attempt to win back viewers.


But after initially agreeing to the plan, the 43-year-old has sent producers into a spin by pulling out at the eleventh hour. The final week of the show is due to be the first week of September. A source told TV Biz: “BB bosses have been saving up so they can blow the budget and make the last week spectacular.


“They want Mario to return to pop the big question to Lisa and are offering him lots of money. But he’s taking himself too seriously and has backed out at the last minute.”


The source added: “They’re trying to get him to reconsider so that they can end the show on a high.” The ailing Channel 4 show has been watched by an average of 3million viewers — well down on the show’s 2003 heyday of 10million.


Stunts including sending posh chef Rex’s girlfriend Nicole into the house have failed to ignite interest.


But civil servant Mario Marconi — booted out in week five — hinted to presenter Davina McCall at his exit interview that he would like to marry bodybuilder Lisa. And producers have been rubbing their hands since.


The couple from Warrington, Cheshire, met three years ago when she bought a crystal ball from him on eBay and collected it in person. They were the first couple to feature on the show and Lisa has become one of the most popular housemates, never being put up for public eviction.


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1567119.ece