[JohnnyBB]

This summer’s series of Big Brother may be the final one, according to a show insider.

The Channel 4 reality show has been on television since 2000, however bosses may announce soon that the forthcoming series will be the last one.

A show insider told Star Magazine: “Shortly after the Celebrity version of the show, key members of staff were told it was ‘highly unlikely’ to return.

“Everyone was disappointed but most people realise it has run its course.

“This year may be the final chance for many people to step inside the house, earn their 15 minutes of fame and cash in on the show’s popularity.

“There’s still a tiny hope it will return but it’s 99% certain it will be 10 and out for the show.”

The show has seen a huge drop in viewers in the last two years after the racism scandal which surrounded Celebrity Big Brother in 2007. The most recent series last month slumped to an all-time low of just 3 million viewers, a far cry from the 5.8 million who watched in 2002.

The programme has also seen a big fall in the number of viewers aged between 16 to 34. The insider added: “It’s not the social experiment it once was and has lost its appeal for a lot of young people.”