'Big Brother' fans react to show axe

Digital Spy forum users have responded with mixed reactions to the news that next year's Big Brother will be the last on Channel 4.

C4 director of television Kevin Lygo announced earlier today that the broadcaster would not be continuing to air the Endemol reality series beyond 2010.

Fans of the show have expressed a mixture of disappointment and anger at the way the show has been handled in recent years, with a significant number blaming the disappearance of a live feed for the programme's demise.

"No Live Feed was guaranteed to lose viewers, buzz, media interest and was the first step in shutting BB down," argued forum member RampantJelly.

"From there it was self fulfilling prophesy while acting with bravado and lack of concern until the inevitable happened. They were warned, but they knew exactly what their aim was - from CBB [Celebrity Big Brother 7] they have been chopping BB to bits to the point they could justify shutting it off."

Other members blamed everything from "wannabe agency drones" as contestants, media coverage of Michael Jackson's death and Big Brother's Little Brother host George Lamb for the programme's faltering viewing figures.

Forum member Yhtrownu suggested that one of the main problems was that the show's innocence had been lost over the years, making it less enjoyable for viewers.

"Only really stupid or naive characters, like Freddie and Bea, and Charlie and Rodrigo, can be manipulated into kissing-and-hating, without them realising they are characters cast in a play to kiss and hate each other. Ennui sets in, inevitably..."

However, a number of fans were optimistic that the show's format would be picked up another broadcaster, with the popular choices appearing to be Channel 5 and Sky1.

"If either Five or Sky got it, they'd breathe life into it," said Eye Sea. "C4 should have lost it eight years ago."