Big Brother's narrator slams how Channel 5 handled the reality show
Marcus Bentley, the iconic voice of Big Brother, has slammed Channel 5 for the way they handled the reality TV show.
For years Bentley's soothing and distinct Geordie tones provided narration for the goings on in the Big Brother House.
Most people who were watching the reality TV show during its peak years have probably tried to copy Bentley's voice at some point or another, usually starting by stating how many days it's been in the house.
However, when Big Brother migrated from Channel 4 to Channel 5 the renowned narrator says he didn't like how things turned out.
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Speaking to the Radio Times about the show as it has been announced for an ITV2 reboot, Bentley explained his issues with Channel 5.
He explained he wasn't a fan of the lack of publicity done around the show, slating Channel 5 and arguing that they seemed to give up on Big Brother after a couple of years.
He said: "It was like, as if the show didn't exist.
"They never brought me up for anything. After a couple of years they just didn't give a monkey's."
On Channel 4 between 2000 and 2010, Big Brother moved over to Channel 5 between 2011 and 2018 before the long running reality show came to an end.
Big Brother's comeback after being off TV since being axed by Channel 5 in 2018 is due to be launched next year.
This time it'll be on ITV2, with channel bosses confirming the show would be returning in 2023 with a 'refreshed' and 'contemporary' feel so it doesn't feel out of place among the other reality shows that followed it.
We don't know exactly what that means for the tried and tested format of sticking a bunch of people in a house full of cameras and having Marcus Bentley narrate what's going on, but it's worked plenty of times in the past.
As for who will actually present the rebooted series when it returns on ITV2, that's another question to be sorted out.
Davina McCall was the original presenter for the show's run on Channel 4 before second series winner Brian Dowling took over duties after the move to Channel 5.
Meanwhile, singing duo Jedward have thrown their hats in the ring to host the show when it returns next year.
At this point Bentley isn't even confirmed to return as narrator for the show, but he is 'quietly confident' that he'll be asked back, and is it really even Big Brother without his Geordie voice narrating everything?
LADbible has contacted Channel 5 for comment.
Topics: Big Brother, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, TV and Film
Joe Harker