Davina McCall has revealed she wasn't given the chance to return as the host of Big Brother when the reality series was rebooted, despite fronting the original show for a decade. Appearing on Adam Stott's Business Growth Secrets podcast, the TV presenter reflected on missing out on the role after hosting Big Brother from 2000 to 2010, becoming one of the programme's most recognisable faces.

The reboot instead saw presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best take over hosting duties when the show returned to screens in 2023.

McCall said she even suggested making a small appearance in the reboot, offering to pop up and deliver her iconic eviction catchphrase, "Fancy another one?" However, she revealed that idea was also turned down.

‍

The admission has reignited debate among longtime viewers, many of whom still closely associate McCall with the hit reality series. Across social media, fans argued that Big Brother "isn't the same" without her, with several claiming there is "no Big Brother without Davina."

Others said her enthusiasm, humour and connection with housemates helped define the show's original success, making it difficult to imagine anyone else in the role. Some admitted they still instinctively hear McCall's voice when they think of live evictions, while others felt the reboot missed an opportunity to acknowledge the show's history by giving her at least a brief cameo.

While AJ Odudu and Will Best have helped usher in a new era for the franchise, the reaction suggests many viewers still see Davina McCall as the person who helped shape one of the UK's biggest reality TV success stories. For plenty of fans, Big Brother may have moved on, but its original host remains one of its most enduring legacies.

‍