[Scarlett.]

CHANNEL 4 chiefs will hold crunch talks over the future of Celebrity Big Brother after TWO MILLION fewer people watched the final.

Around 3.5million saw Ulrika Jonsson crowned this year’s surprise winner.

More than five million watched the past five finals, with Chantelle Houghton’s victory in 2006 seen by 6.8million.

The show is more expensive to make than regular BB, with bosses forking out thousands on celebrities’ fees.

They spent nearly a million this year. TV star Ulrika, 41, pulled in a massive £175,000 for the three-week show.

An insider said: “This series has basically been a flop and bosses are pretty unhappy as it costs so much to make.

“They expected ratings to be down a bit as the format is getting tired but losing two million was unthinkable.

“There are also problems with the audience. Most people who watch it are old and not attractive to advertisers.

“C4 and producers will now meet to find out what went wrong and there are concerns that CBB may bite the dust.”

Ratings were some of the lowest ever not just for CBB, but all versions of the show.

At one point last week it slumped to 1.2million viewers — beaten by BBC2’s Victorian Farm with a million more.

CBB was “rested” last year when C4 got cold feet after the Shilpa Shetty bullying scandal in 2007.

The Sun

[Locke.]

I don't expect to see it back next January.

[amby]

I'd say that Ulrika was the last CBB winner.

[sonia1tam]

OMG thats sad

I always looked forward to my January celeb big brother.......

[Tom]

I bet Hijack or another format returns next year to Channel 4 ...

[stonedape]

I agree, I'm not surprised, if there's going to be a novelty BB in the winter it needs a severe overhaul.

In reality, the whole series needs to change or die.

[Jackie]

This series wasn't as good as the past series.

[Novo]

I prefered Hijack and want to see it back Next year

[Fom]

They should scrap january shows altogether, that gives them nearly a whole year to transform the house and do something extra amazing! Plus it makes people miss the show! Which is great, just like people missing X factor! It builds up as it gets closer and that people miss it and can't wait for it to be back.

[\PJ/]

The show is dieing a little bit every day now,something needs to be done.

[\PJ/]

Originally posted by Fom
They should scrap january shows altogether, that gives them nearly a whole year to transform the house and do something extra amazing! Plus it makes people miss the show! Which is great, just like people missing X factor! It builds up as it gets closer and that people miss it and can't wait for it to be back.

That post makes so much sense.

[Bigbrofanatic!]

It wasnt that bad! The only thing i didnt like was the final, i think they should change the final, do it better.
Buty i enjoyed it this year, it wasnt terrible, as long as it makes me laugh then its fine and i did. Oh and as long as they have good people in it lol.

I like having CBB especially in january. I think its exciting. So no, dont cancel CBB just yet- just improve the final! Plus, aim to get even better celebs next year- must be pretty pricey but hey! lol.

[robb]

On paper, the celebs were a decent bunch (apart from the unknown Tommy and hardly-heard of Ben), but somehow it didn't spark. Even the rows were nothing compared to previous series. Too many made it clear they wanted to go ASAP. THAT WAS A NEGATIVE, AND A TURN-OFF. Ok, Ulrika stuck at it, and offered some entertainment in the end, but overall it was a 6 out of 10 series. Too many 'only men aloud' blokes didn't help. The loud mouths of Foolio and Fatty (I'm clever, me) became tedious by the end of week one. And BB TRYING TO FIX IT FOR A US housemate to win it backfired. BIG TIME.

[Nutters22000]

Originally posted by .Andy.
I prefered Hijack and want to see it back Next year

yep hijack was really good lets hope they bring it back

[fishseller]

agreed hijack should come back but it could go tits up just like this series

[Tom]

Originally posted by Fom
They should scrap january shows altogether, that gives them nearly a whole year to transform the house and do something extra amazing! Plus it makes people miss the show! Which is great, just like people missing X factor! It builds up as it gets closer and that people miss it and can't wait for it to be back.

This series and Hijack had contractual obligation written allover them. Thats why they can't ditch the January series just yet. So maybe it would be best to have Hijack or whatever on E4 for the time being to fill the contract but noone watches it anyway so it would be essentially like it isn't on.

[mister-eli]

I stopped watching after a few nights, the crappy ratings aren't really surprising.

[Loukas]

tbh it was hardly a flop. Sounds silly but look at C4's ratings without BB. BB is still one of their highest shows ever. even with 3 million watching. Yes i agree it is s*** and it needs work BIG TIME. But it's not over yet.