MAKING the likes of Jade Goody, Nikki Grahame and Anthony Hutton, Big Brother could be set to make an explosive return to our TV screens - and sooner than you think.

Talks are reportedly ongoing to bring the once-popular and hugely-successful show to a major channel after it was taken off air almost four years ago.

And now, the voice of Big Brother and quite possibly one of the UK's most famous voiceover artists has spoken out about its rumoured return and why this "could be it."

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Marcus Bentley, who is well known for his Geordie tones and has narrated Big Brother since its inception on Channel 4 in 2000, said there is a programme "nothing like it."

The Northern Echo: Picture: MARCUS BENTLEY/INSTAGRAMPicture: MARCUS BENTLEY/INSTAGRAM

Speaking to The Northern Echo, he said: "Big Brother is sorely missed and there's nothing out there quite like it. 

"People were talking about it when we were all in lockdown, it was a strange time, we were all stuck at home and there was a big call for it to come back."

Read more: We spoke to the voice behind Big Brother ahead the show's E4 spinoff 

According to latest reports, show executives are in talks over plans to air a number of series of Big Brother on the entertainment channel, ITV2.

With the objective to return the show to its "former glory," it is reported that the show could air as soon as autumn 2023. 

The Northern Echo: Anthony Hutton, who now lives near Darlington Picture: CONTRIBUTORAnthony Hutton, who now lives near Darlington Picture: CONTRIBUTOR

In previous years, contestants from across the region have featured including Consett's Anthony Hutton, Tyneside's Carole Malone and Gateshead's Michelle Heaton.

Mr Bentley, who said the rumoured return had been dubbed the saviour of "reality TV," suggested latest rumours had the potential to turn into reality.

He said: "This time, it feels a little bit different - I haven't seen any denials at the moment and there's been no rubbishing of the claims."

But claiming that if rumours do not come to fruition it is only a matter of time before the show is picked up again, he added: "I want it to come back.

"I love the show, it's how I made my living and I do think it will come back, it will come back."

So far, ITV has declined to comment on whether it is in talks with Banijay, the production company which owns the rights to the show and format in the UK.

The former Big Brother narrator was born in Gateshead and grew up in Stockton and now lives in Bristol.

In recent years, he has continued to do voiceover work along with stars including Rylan, Rob Beckett and Eamonn Holmes.

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