‘A fresh face…’: Former Bake Off star is eyed up by Strictly bosses to replace Claudia Winkleman and host the show’s iconic ‘Clauditorium’ section
FORMER Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc is being eyed by Strictly bosses as a potential replacement for Claudia Winkleman.
The comedian and presenter is seen as a great candidate to take over the “Clauditorium” segment on the hit BBC dance show.
An insider said: “The Clauditorium is the section where the dancers go to receive their scores from the judges and decompress after their routines.
“So it needs to be hosted by someone with a gentle touch, who can use humour to relieve the tension.
“Mel is seen as a great swap for Claudia as they’re both smart, funny, and have a reputation within the TV world for being easy to work with.
“They’re both highly professional, well-liked by the public, and boast just the right balance of confidence and self-deprecation.
“Most of all, Mel has experience of hosting live TV through fronting BBC Children in Need, and, thanks to Bake Off, she already knows what it’s like to front a big BBC prime-time show.”
Mel, 57, used to host the baking contest with long-time pal Sue Perkins when it was on the Beeb between 2010 and 2016, with both of them seen as contributing to its huge success.
The BBC was grateful to the pair for not following Bake Off when it moved to Channel 4 in 2017.
It has since given Mel other shows to front, but none have quite matched her time in the tent.
But she has previously hosted the Strictly Live tour — and was ecstatic to compete in 2021’s Christmas special.
Mum-of-two Mel said at the time: “I’ve always thought Strictly’s a weird one for a woman in her 50s.
“But now I’ve dipped my large, middle-aged toe into the glitter, and maybe I feel differently.”
Claudia, 54, who left Strictly with Tess Daly at the end of last year’s series, has previously credited Mel and Sue for paving the way for all-female presenter duos in television.
The Sun on Sunday revealed yesterday that it’s a race between Zoe Ball and Emma Willis to be the new Tess, while bosses want a female comedian to replace Claudia.
A BBC spokesman said: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be announced in due course.”
‘The truth comes out…’: Love Island fans ‘work out’ the real reason behind Lucinda and Samie’s vicious feud after the girls go to war during explosive Movie Night scenes liennhi
EAGLE-EYED Love Island fans have ‘worked out’ the real reason for rivals Lucinda and Samie’s vicious feud following Movie Night.
The warring reality stars went head to head on the explosive episode, which saw a furious Samie storm away in a blind rage after Lucinda was shown laughing in her face.
Movie Night hosted an evening of theatrical classics which included: “Free Millie”, “How to Lose Leanne in Ten Days”, “Some like it Scott”, “The Sean Identity”, “There’s Something About Samie”, “Tommy Dearest” and “Lucinda’s Web”.
Things kicked off after Lucinda and Samie’s argument played out on-screen following a screening of the pair’s disagreements in the villa.
It’s the latest addition to their ongoing beef, after Lucinda roughly slammed a pie into Samie’s face during a game of Snog, Marry, Pie.
Lucinda previously wasted no time in snatching Ciaran Davies away from Samie – leaving her co-stars rattled in a dramatic re-coupling.
She told the islanders: “I’ve come to bombshell.”
Samie replied: “Clearly.”
In the end Ciaran cooled things off with Lucinda and has been going strong with Samie ever since.
The situation left Samie questioning her and Lucinda’s friendship outside the villa, after a previous argument revealed that Samie had not invited Lucinda to a party.
Samie insisted this was because the blonde bombshell was out of the country at the time to which Lucinda disagreed.
Now, viewers think they’ve worked out the real reason the pair have been at odds.
Taking to the internet forum Reddit, one user said: “I keep seeing people saying that Lucinda is still mad that Ciaran didn’t choose her and is taking it out on Samie. I actually think she’s still mad at Samie over the birthday party and the fact she wasn’t invited. All this vim she has for Samie has got to be way more than not getting picked. She’s just goading Samie at this point.”
“I don’t really get why she was mad about the dinner party it was a small event there was only 3 love island girls from what I could see that went. I would understand if it was a big party with lots of love island people but it wasn’t,” added one fan.
Another replied: “Literally Ciaran has absolutely nothing to do with it. she only chose him to p*** off Samie. she does not care about that man.”
A fourth chimed: “She used the birthday party to prove a point to Samie that if they were friends she would have got an invite. Samie was just trying to make out they were friends to make Lucinda look/feel bad about taking Ciaran.”
“I think it’s both. Ciaran’s rejection amplified her anger towards her and bruised her ego,” penned a fifth.
The Movie Night instalment shocked viewers after tensions between the two women exploded.
In a tense interaction, Lucinda said: “Everything I do is dumb, stupid, f***ing funny and you know what? I’ve had enough of it.
“OK bye. I’ve left the chat.”
After Lucinda burst out laughing, Samie walked away and was followed by Belle.
After taking time to cool off she returned to the table with Lucinda telling her: “I’m not being funny, let me laugh, Samie.
After trading more blows across the cinema, Lucinda yelled: “I’ve had enough of people f***ing looking down on me. Samie, you f***ing especially.”
Love Island continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
