Germany's "never-ending" version of Big Brother is to end just a year after it began, broadcast network RTL II has confirmed.

The series, billed as a real-life version of The Truman Show, began on March 1 and, although it made a promising start, has since failed to appeal to viewers. Ratings are thought to be around half that of previous series.

Producer Katja Hofem-Best admitted: "The series hasn't attracted as many viewers as we would have liked."

The final episode will air on February 26, 2006. The show will then take a "creative break" but will return for a new series in the future.