O'Leary: 'I'm relieved to see BB go'

Dermot O'Leary has said that he is relieved that Channel 4 bosses have decided to axe Big Brother after the 11th series next year.

The TV show host, who presented Big Brother's Little Brother, said that the show is "exhausted" and its format cannot be adapted in fresh ways to attract new viewers.

"I felt a bit sad, but only for ten minutes," he told The Sun.

"You can change the personalities and characters in the house but the format of them living together and people voting to get rid of them means it can't really change very much."

However, original Big Brother winner Craig Phillips claimed that he was "really sad" to hear the news, saying that there will be a "huge gap" in his summer without the programme.

"The show has been amazing to me and given so many people loads of opportunities. It's produced some colourful characters; some we will miss and others we wish would go away!" he said.

Presenter Davina McCall also defended the programme, saying: "I adore Big Brother.

"It's been with me for the best ten years of my life. It's funny, smart, innovative, thought-provoking entertainment at its best. I am proud to be part of it. Let's make next year's series the best ever."