[Callum]

Presenter Brian Dowling has offered hope to fans of Big Brother's axed live feed, claiming that Channel 5 should take a look at bringing back the 24-hour access when the show returns in the New Year.

Channel 5 opted not to offer live feed to fans of the show this year, replacing it with extra Facebook and Twitter content. The channel's controller Jeff Ford claimed that the show has "moved on" from the 24-hour access to housemates.

Speaking about the controversial decision, host Dowling admitted that he had sympathy for the show's hardcore fans.

"All I can say is, the fans obviously want to have the live feed," he told Digital Spy.

"I understand people's views on it and they want to see the real characters and not just the people that Channel 5 shows. But I must add, Channel 5 are just showing you what happened.

"And on the live feed, you couldn't for the large part hear anything. For legal reasons, you can't hear anything a lot of the time. But I do understand the hardcore fans miss it."

He added: "Whether it comes back, I don't know. I know nothing. I only found out about the feed this time, the week before the show started when I was briefed. A lot of people do miss it, so I think it is something Channel 5 need to look at. But I have no power unfortunately."

Dowling said that he was proud of the reality show's performance following its switch from Channel 4 to Channel 5, claiming that the steady ratings proved it was wise investment from the broadcaster's Richard Desmond.

"A lot of people had written the show off, but when it's on Channel 5, it's not the fifth channel anymore. It's sometimes the second channel or even the most-watched channel at that time," he said.

"I know when we've done the Friday night show, we've beaten everything and been the most popular show at that time. We went up against Million Pound Drop on Channel 4 and sometimes we beat it. For Channel 5 to do that is amazing.

"The Celebrity series was averaging three or four million - amazing. I think the normal series has had 1.5 million, sometimes higher, sometimes lower, every night.

"It just proves that there is a fanbase for Big Brother. I think it proves Big Brother on Channel 5 is a hit."

Having no live feed again next year would be a huge mistake IMO

[Niamh.]

Please, Please, Please!

[Black Dagger]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...

It needed one desperately this year, as long as it's back for BB13 then I'm fine.

And as long as Emma doesn't do BOTS that'd be even better.

[Jords]

YEESSSSSSSSSSS! Do it!!!!!!!!!!

[HBB1508]

Just the sniff of live feed has got me all excited!!!!

[MTVN]

This will just make it more frustrating when we don't get it

[alex_front2]

Originally Posted by MTVN

This will just make it more frustrating when we don't get it

Exactly, it's just to keep fans onside till they let us down when BB starts. They dangled the idea for LF prior to this series. It didn't happen.

[fingers]

Originally Posted by MTVN

This will just make it more frustrating when we don't get it

Dowling is talking S**T he said all that to make it look like he's on the side of the fans, he's on the payroll and won't dare rock the boat for fear of reducing his income by a sizable chunk.

[Tom]

I want live feed especially overnight but I wish they'd not say anything like this because its obvious it won't be coming back. Now it just means that yet again in the run up to next CBB and run up to next years BB, the live feed protesters aer going to be out in force again

[Blink_Me]

If there's no live feed, I won't be watching.

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

I really hope they bring back LF, I've really missed it this year.

[MaratSafinForever]

Typical that they'll bring live back, in return with a bunch of ****ty housemates capping off a ****ty series. Shame they didn't have it this year.

[Patricia4]

I really hope they bring back LF

[Jordan.]

If LF isn't back the ratings next year will be even worse. It'll probably be the end of BB.

[CharlieO]

LF will make me give it a chance. Otherwise I wont even bother with one episode.

[goldielox]

sorry but where does it say Live feed could return for BB13? All i can see is a quote that states he has NO POWER.

and...

The channel's controller Jeff Ford claimed that the show has "moved on" from the 24-hour access to housemates.

[Jase.]

This NEEDS to happen, although I'm not getting my hopes up

[Jackie]

Yes yes yes .................

[JohnnyBB]

no im ignoreing this there not getting me hopes up.

[StraightEdge695]

i hope there is i miss it...

[fruit_cake]

I think they make a lot of money out of the FB voting, LF might jeopardise it from C5's point of view.

[Adamw92]

Live feed!

[Jack_]

Sad as it is, it won't ever return...C5 don't give a flying ****.

[Beastie]

Doubt it will be 24 7 live feed. They might provide us with a few hours footage.

[Maia]

I hope they do it! Even if it's just a few hours a day or in place of Teleshopping on 5*. We urgently need one, and hopefully after all the protests this year they'll be able to understand that.