Major Big Brother news: back to its original roots with a new host

Big Brother will return to Channel 10 in 2025 with a new host. Can it prove a hit for again as 10 tries to reverse its ratings fortunes in 2025?

Original Big Brother host Gretel Killeen, left, and incoming new host Mel Tracina, right. Pictures: Supplied

The show that broke the mold of reality television is back with Big Brother coming full circle by returning to its original home of Channel 10.

Relative newcomer Mel Tracina will take on the role made famous by Gretel Killeen when Big Brother first launched in 2001.

Ten has ditched the contrived prerecorded episodes to return to its original format of live studio audiences and evictions in a bid to revive the format that has struggled over recent years on different networks.

“The way that we are going to bring it back to its original essence will definitely reinvigorate it,” Tracina said.

Melissa Tracina will host Big Brother in 2025.

“That is what we love about Big Brother. This is a massive opportunity because I know how loyal fans of Big Brother are and so to be a part of it and to bring it back to its original home, its original format, the original essence that we all fell in love with in the naughties is so exciting.”

Big Brother was axed on Ten back in 2008, when the format was picked up by Nine and later Seven.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and Sonia Kruger have hosted previous seasons.

Tracina is known on television for her work on Ten’s The Cheap Seats and as a presenter on Nova radio.

“I can’t cook, I can’t marry an influencer and I hate stepping on Lego so I feel like Big Brother is the perfect fit for me,” the Nova radio host said.

“I grew up watching Gretel do it but I definitely think I will be my own host, my own way of speaking with the housemates.”

Host Gretel Killeen, centre, on red couch with participants (L-R) Kimberley Cooper, Sara Marie Fedele, Imogen Bailey, Vanessa Wagner, Dylan Lewis, Adriana Xenides, Kyle Sandilands and Anthony Mundine at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast 20/07/2002 for the Channel 10 (10) TV program 'Celebrity Big Brother'.

Big Brother was one of several announcements to come out of Channel 10’s programming launch for 2025 with the broadcaster having previously announced The Bachelor and The Masked Singer won’t be returning.

Comedian Sam Pang will however be helming his first ever stand alone show while a number of new TV dramas have been commissioned.

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! will again be hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin and will be brought back to its original release time of January.

Details of Pang’s show are still under wraps with the project in development.

“Sam Pang has been part of the 10 family for over a decade and we’re delighted to have commissioned his brand-new show for 2025,” Paramount Australia programming boss Daniel Monaghan said.

“Sam’s quick wit has kept Aussies laughing for years, and we know his fresh new program will give audiences exactly what they want. We are currently in the final stages of development, and we can’t wait to share it with viewers in the new year.”

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen will return in 2025, as will Australian Survivor and Australian Survivor: Brain v Brawn II and Survivor: Australia v The World, The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition, MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, Dessert Masters, Taskmaster Australia and Have You Been Paying Attention?

Grant Denyer returns with Deal or No Deal too.

Party boy Corey Worthington, seated with Channel 10 (10) Big Brother hosts Kyle Sandilands (L) and Jackie O during the broadcast of the 'Gatecrashes' episode at Dreamworld on Queensland's Gold Coast.

A new reality series has been commissioned in Airport 24/7 that will be filmed at Melbourne Airport while House Hunters Australia will pair potential buyers with agents in the quest for a win-win deal.

For drama, Ghosts Australia is based on the British comedy sitcom of the same name will begin production early next year.

Playing Gracie Darling, a six hour scripted drama, will star Morgana O’Reilly, Rudi Dharmalingham, Celia Pacquola, Anne Tenney and Annie Maynard.

There will be a Christmas TV movie in Staycation that is described as “more than a nod to the uproarious National Lampoon” franchise.

NCIS: Sydney season two will air in 2025, while long-running TV soap Neighbours returns.

Originally published as Major Big Brother news: back to its original roots with a new host