Channel 4 bosses have admitted that the current series of Big Brother will be the last ever, despite making the same claim at this point last year.
The beleaguered show has lost its prime-time slot to a show about how to choose carpet and a comedy sketch show starring two rhinoceroses, which although not popular, still exceed the viewing figures for Big Brother.
In its heyday, the show was attracting 20% of the viewing public, but with each subsequent series, this figure has dropped to the point now, where not even the relatives of the contestants are watching it, and all of the cameras are now automatically operated because nobody can be found to operate them.
Andy Duncan, head of Channel 4 has stated that the viewing figures for the show are not the reason for the axing though.
"Although the figures are disappointing," said Duncan, "this is not the reason for cancelling further series. We feel that we have used up the country's quota of morons. This explains why we have resorted to bringing in foreign morons to supplement our own over the past couple of series."
Duncan went on to add that should there be a sudden influx of moronic idiots at some point in the future, the show could be resurrected. "In part it's a national service," Duncan added. "We get these people off the streets for a few months, and that can only be a good thing."
The show is responsible for making Jade Goody and Craig Phillips if not household names, then at least household goods. For this alone, many people will eternally hate it.
