The original version of Big Brother is to return to TV screens in the Netherlands after a 14-year absence.
The first ever episode of the seminal reality show aired on September 16, 1999 on Dutch broadcaster RTL, sparking a global phenomenon that saw the format adapted in over 50 countries worldwide.
The Dutch version ran for six seasons before being axed in 2006 but is now returning to RTL later this year.
In a joint statement, the network and production company EndemolShine said: "We have never made it a secret that we want to bring Big Brother back to the Netherlands, the country where it all started. Big Brother is still the most successful format worldwide and, in the current context, more relevant than ever: we now live in a Big Brother society.
"There are more and more comebacks in other countries and soon also in the Netherlands. A few weeks ago we started production behind the scenes, and we are very much looking forward to bringing Big Brother back on television after 14 years together with RTL."
The revival marks the seventh comeback for Big Brother in the last year, with new deals for the show also agreed in Germany, Portugal, Finland, Poland, Greece and Australia - the latter of which gets underway today.
Neil Wilkes
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