Television presenter Chris Hughes has reportedly landed a role hosting a new Big Brother video podcast following the cancellation of spin-off show Late and Live.
The 33-year-old presenter, who starred on the celebrity version of the ITV hit reality show last year, is set to front the new vodcast after network executives decided to replicate the success of their Love Island digital audio output.
News of the job came as his girlfriend, American performer JoJo Siwa, 23, shared a series of intimate photos of the couple relaxing together in a swimming pool on Instagram. The images were posted in a gallery titled 'little bit of life', showing a make-up free Siwa perching on the side of the pool with her legs wrapped around Hughes while he sat in the water.
Siwa wore a black two-piece bikini featuring white stitching along the edges, with her blonde hair styled in a high bun. Hughes showed his appreciation for the gallery by posting a single heart emoji in the comment section under the post.
Hughes first rose to fame on the ITV2 reality series Love Island in 2017 before expanding his career into horse racing broadcast journalism and television hosting. Siwa gained global prominence as a child star on Dance Moms before building a multi-million dollar entertainment brand as a singer, dancer, and YouTube personality. The pair met and fell in love last year when Hughes appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and Siwa featured as a guest.
Big Brother Vodcast Details
Sources claim that Hughes has proven 'super popular' with viewers, prompting television executives to hand him the helm of the new digital format.
An insider told The Sun: "ITV has seen the success of the Love Island podcast this year and want to replicate that with Big Brother."
The insider added: "He and JoJo have a legion of fans and have become part of the special group of people who have found love in the house."
Producers are also hoping that Siwa might appear on the vodcast alongside her boyfriend, although her current schedule may present a challenge. A source explained: "JoJo is currently tied up with other commitments but would be welcome on to the show should the dates work for her."
Representatives for Big Brother and Hughes have been contacted by the Daily Mail for comment regarding the new hosting role.
Late and Live Axed
The introduction of the new video podcast follows the decision in November to cancel the traditional spin-off show, Big Brother: Late and Live, after a three-year run on television screens.
Fronted by presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best, Late and Live struggled to secure consistent viewing figures, despite bringing in high-profile guests including Siwa and other former housemates.
Industry experts suggested that the show's live evening format had become an issue as increasing numbers of viewers migrated to watching content on demand via ITV's streaming service, ITVX.
An insider told The Sun: "Big Brother in general has struggled this year due to fierce competition from the likes of Celebrity Traitors. Late & Live has really struggled due to the main show not doing as well as hoped."
The insider added: "Over the past few weeks whispers have been rife that the show would be axed and then during the final week it was an open topic on the studio floor."
Production staff, many of whom were working on freelance contracts, were informed quietly by executives that the show would not be returning. The insider noted that while the cancellation was "a shame", everyone involved acknowledged that "every show must eventually come to an end."
New Season Twist and Launch Date
The main Big Brother series is scheduled to return to television screens on September 13 for what will be ITV's longest run to date, spanning eight weeks.
Contestants in the upcoming series are set to receive a major surprise just days after entering the house, with producers planning to send in a series of celebrity guests.
The twist takes inspiration from Sharon Osbourne, the music manager and television judge who appeared as a temporary 'house lodger' during a previous celebrity edition.
Producers are currently targeting former housemates who appeared during the show's previous eras on Channel 4 and Channel 5, with reality television personality Gemma Collins reportedly standing at the top of their wishlist.
