Channel 4 director of programmes Julian Bellamy just announced that there will be no Celebrity Big Brother on the main channel in 2008.

A process of "creative renewal" was cited; close to 30 hours of 9pm slots will be freed up as a result. Kevin Lygo, director of television and content, also cited a desire to "rest" the series due to a feeling of it having "never left our screens" in the wake of the Shilpa race row.

An experimental version of Big Brother will air in January - solely on E4, and a decision as to whether CBB will return in 2009 will be made next year.