Is Ainsley responsible for this twist, too?
Big Brother legend Will Kirby, who annually returns to moderate a season-finale Q&A with the current jury members, will not be back in that capacity for Season 26, TVLine has confirmed.
Kirby broke the news himself in a Parade interview on Wednesday, saying, “It’s simply time to hang up the proverbial cleats. The run I’ve had on the show, first as [a] contestant and then as a host, is practically unheard of but nothing lasts forever; I am ready to pass the reality television baton!”
In a subsequent X post, he later added, “I have nothing but immense gratitude for the @CBSBigBrother producers, the fans, and most especially, those contestants who entertain us with their dynamic gameplay; I salute them all!”
Kirby has been a staple of the Big Brother franchise since 2001, when he won Season 2. He later returned for Season 7, the show’s first All-Stars cycle, where he finished in fourth place (but cemented his status as one of BB‘s all-time greats). Kirby has moderated the jury roundtable — a pre-taped discussion with the jurors about which of the final three contestants most deserves to win — on most finales since Season 15.
Big Brother currently airs Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on CBS, with the Season 26 finale set for Sunday, Oct. 13, at 9/8c. Who would you like to see replace Dr. Will?