Richard Ayoade lined up to replace Mel & Sue after Channel 4 move
Bosses hope his dry sense of humour will translate to the show's comical nature
THE quirky banter between hosts MEL GEIDROYC and SUE PERKINS helped make The Great British Bake Off the biggest programme on TV.
And after nicking the show from the BBC, Channel 4 are following the same recipe.
I’ve learned that left-field British comic RICHARD AYOADE has become the frontrunner to host the Bake Off when it switches channels.
Richard, who shot to fame on hit sitcoms Nathan Barley and the IT Crowd, has become a C4 staple thanks to his regular appearances on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year and currently hosts their documentary series Travel Man.
His dry sense of humour has led bosses to believe he would be the perfect fit to fill Mel and Sue’s shoes.
A source said: “Richard is a really popular choice at the minute, as many think he’s got a great character that would bring a great spark to the show.
“He’s got a wonderful off-beat sense of humour, which would really fit the change of channel – and would no doubt be a popular choice with viewers too.
“It’s still early days, but he is definitely up there and now the leading candidate.”
If Richard gets the gig, he would be joined by PAUL HOLLYWOOD, who was the only original Bake Off star to jump ship from the BBC to Channel 4 after makers Love Productions sold the show for £75million last month.
The broadcaster are looking for another expert and two hosts after MARY BERRY refused to leave the Beeb along with Mel and Sue.
And former winner NADIYA HUSSAIN is also out of the running after I revealed she has been offered an exclusive deal by the BBC for a range of programmes to stay put.
The Sun also told how the programme’s spin-off Creme De La Crème’s expert CHERISH FINDEN is the front-runner to replace Mary.
The new show is due to broadcast next year in a celebrity charity special in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
Richard’s eccentric style would be a huge hit with the Bake Off audience and could help Channel 4 win over its loyal BBC viewers.
If they could get his old IT Crowd pal - and now Hollywood superstar - CHRIS O’DOWD to join him they’d be laughing.
Cat's having wicked way
CAT DEELEY was once one of the most in-demand hosts on British telly. But after making a name for herself in the US, her UK comeback is far from prime time.
Cat at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic event in LA, will guest star as a wicked witch in the CBeebies show Kate & Mim-Mim at the end of the month.
After giving birth to son Milo in January, she can always stick on the episode to keep him entertained.
Pharaoh no! tut still cursed
THE curse of Tutankhamun lives on. ITV’s new Sunday night drama had a series of mishaps filming the story of mummy hunter Howard Carter.
Several of his team died mysteriously after disrupting the Egyptian pharaoh’s “cursed” tomb – including his benefactor Lord Carnarvon, played by SAM NEILL, who suffered blood poisoning from a mosquito bite.
AMY WREN, who plays his daughter Lady Evelyn, needed hospital treatment for a spider bite, while cameramen got blisters on their hands due to the fierce heat.
Executive producer Francis Hopkinson said: “It was a wild environment. Normally a health and safety report has three pages. Ours was about 30. It was quite scary.”
Terror threats prevented filming on location in Egypt, forcing them to shoot in South Africa and Namibia.
Lucy's moving homes
IT was a shock when LUCY ALEXANDER quit the Beeb’s daytime favourite Homes Under The Hammer after 13 years.
The presenter left 12 months after ex-footballer DION DUBLIN joined the team, breaking up her double act with MARTIN ROBERTS.
But I can reveal she is making a rival property show on Channel 4, helping house-hunters find dream homes.
Filming has started on Best Of Both Worlds, which will see potential buyers either move out to the country or from the sticks to an urban pad.
A source said: “Lucy wanted a new challenge and, although she loved Homes Under The Hammer, she is really excited by the move to Channel 4.
“There’s been a lot of banter because she will be rivalling her old show.
“Lucy’s enjoyed leaving the Beeb, as it’s opened up a load of commercial opportunities that she’s previously been barred from because of its strict rules.”
Lucy wasted no time cashing in after her exit, becoming an ambassador for CarpetRight.
The BBC spent £50,000 of its diversity pot training up Dion for the role. Lucy called Martin her “TV husband” when she announced her departure in July.
Joking about the show’s incidental use of music, Martin responded by tweeting: “Music plays . . . If You Leave Me Now, Chicago . . . I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston . . . The Show Must Go On, Queen”.
I’m not sure he’ll feel quite the same way if Lucy beats him in the ratings.
SOAPBOX
DAVID plans to drive his car, laden with petrol, to blow up Clayton at the courthouse in a very dark CORONATION STREET.
But his revenge plot and suicide mission fail when the engine stalls.
Gail and Nick know they must save David from himself, fast, and hatch a risky plan.
Meanwhile, Billy has a difficult first day in charge of the funeral parlour in EASTENDERS.
He realises the other staff have been taking advantage, so calls a meeting to tell them who is boss.
Kim is upset as she finds nearly everyone in the Square has been taking bets on whether she passes her driving test by Christmas.
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