Big Brother confirms start date for 2026 series – and it’s just days away
The Big Brother eye for 2026 (Image: Initial TV)
ITV has confirmed the start date of the 2026 series of Big Brother is Sunday, 13 September at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX, with a companion show airing straight after on most nights.
AJ Odudu and Will Best return to host the main show, meaning Best is in for a busy few months as he’s also set to compete on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
ITV has teased a season “with unexpected twists and game-changing moments around every corner”. Viewers can also “expect ambitious tasks, high-stakes nominations and dramatic live evictions as the housemates face challenges at every turn in their bid to outlast their rivals”.
A spin-off, Big Brother: The Group Chat, will air Sunday to Thursday nights straight after Big Brother. It will be hosted by Kate Lawler, who won the show in 2002, and queer influencer and podcast host GK Barry, and will feature exclusive interviews with evicted housemates, celebrity fans and special guests.
GK Barry, real name Grace Keeling, said of her new job: “I’ve been a massive Big Brother fan for years, so getting the chance to be part of the show in this way is genuinely a dream come true. And getting to do it alongside an iconic BB legend like Kate makes it even more exciting. I honestly can’t wait to start, have loads of fun with it and have a front-row seat to all the drama, surprises and big moments.”
The original ITV spin-off, Big Brother: Late and Live, was cancelled following the 2025 series.
ITV has also refreshed the show’s iconic eye branding for the new run. The eye logo has changed colours, now appearing as a simple purple iris made up of multiple snaps of different irises.
Big Brother’s UK legacy
Big Brother originated in the Netherlands and became a global reality TV phenomenon, with the UK version launching on Channel 4 in 2000. The format centres on strangers living together under constant surveillance, with nominations and public votes leading to evictions.
Over the years, the show has produced breakout celebrities and tabloid-dominating moments, and, while viewing figures have dropped and it has jumped from channel to channel, it remains a key part of British pop culture.
It has also frequently featured LGBTQ+ housemates and storylines, helping cement its reputation as a conversation-shaping reality franchise.
ITV revived the main UK series in 2023 after a hiatus, repositioning it for ITV2 and streaming audiences.
The new series begins on Sunday 13 September at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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