Brian Dowling to host Big Brother

Brian Dowling is to present Celebrity Big Brother when the show begins on Channel 5 next month.

He will take over Davina McCall’s role, while Emma Willis will present the spin-off, Big Brother’s Little Bit on the Side.

Dowling, who won the second series of Big Brother ten years ago, said he was looking forward to presenting the show.

He said: “I am so excited about this opportunity to host one of the most talked about shows on TV. It is ten years since I won Big Brother so what better way to celebrate and mark that anniversary than to be asked to host the new series.

“It’s on a new channel and a fresh start for the show that has kept the nation entertained for 11 years and I am so excited to be a part of it.”

Channel 5′s director of programmes Jeff Ford said: “As the ultimate Big Brother housemate, Brian is the perfect man to be at the helm of Big Brother’s new incarnation. Emma, meanwhile, is a consummate professional – as well as being a self-confessed superfan.

“Their combined expertise and first-hand experience of the show will bring an extra dimension to Big Brother when it returns this summer.”

Celebrities tipped to appear on this year’s show include Abbey Clancy, Ricky Hatton and Amy Childs.