Jenny Eclair rejected twice from hosting The Great British Bake Off
Comedienne Jenny Eclair has said she lost out on hosting Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off twice.
Jenny Eclair says she was snubbed twice from hosting The Great British Bake Off.
The 65-year-old comedienne was told "next time" by the Channel 4 cookery show's bosses after she lost out on the presenting gig to fellow comic Matt Lucas, 51, in 2020, when he took over from TV host Sandi Toksvig, 67, but instead, This Morning star Alison Hammond eventually replaced him in 2023.
Asked if there are any "big jobs" that Jenny still wishes she got, the novelist told the Sunday Express' S Magazine: "Oh, yes, Bake Off!
"I was second to Matt, you know.
"I was in that audition process, and it came down to me and Matt. I would have loved that gig. I would still be there now if I got it!
"But I auditioned, and then I got a big bouquet of flowers the day before they announced Matt, with a little note saying, 'Next time.'
"I don't know what happened to next time!"
Jenny took part in ITV's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! with Alison, 50, in 2010.
And Jenny would only do the spin-off version, I'm A Celebrity...South Africa - which sees the most memorable campmates from past series of the main Australian jungle survival show return to test themselves in tougher-than-ever Bushtucker Trials as well as challenges - if she got paid a "life-changing amount of money".
The star said in her interview with the magazine: "Oh, the money would have to be really good for me to consider that. As in, a life-changing amount of money.
"And I don't work Tuesdays, do I? I would need to commute from South Africa or take [three-year-old grandson] Arlo with me."
In early September, ITV announced a second series of I’m A Celebrity...South Africa - building on the success of the debut season in 2023.
The first series saw the likes of former professional boxer Amir Khan, 38, TV personality Gillian McKeith, 66, former EastEnders actor Joe Swash, 43, and ex-Countdown star Carol Vorderman, 64, battle it out for survival, with TV presenter Myleene Klass, 47, being crowned the winner and named the first I’m A Celebrity…Legend.
And the new series will air in 2026 on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
I'm A Celebrity...South Africa host Ant McPartlin, 49, said: "The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape."
But an exciting show first for the new series is that the public will have the power to decide which campmate is crowned the ultimate legend in 2026 after weeks of shocks, showdown and survival.
Viewers will be able to have their say and cast the final vote in a live grand final broadcast direct from London.
Ant's co-host Declan Donnelly, 50, said: "Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb… standards!"
ITV is yet to announce the celebrities taking part in the second series of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa.
