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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lauren Del Fabbro

Perfect pairs and mismatched couples – unlikely presenting combos in TV history

Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly presented Strictly together (Alamy/PA) -

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have been announced as the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts.

As they prepare to take on their shiny new roles, we take a look back at some unlikely presenting combos across British TV.

– Tess Daly and Sir Bruce Forsyth

The original Strictly Come Dancing presenters were an unlikely match with model Daly joining the BBC One show aged 35 alongside Sir Bruce, who was 76 at the time.

The pair brought a balance of Sir Bruce’s old school traditional broadcasting with Daly’s modern and bright style.

– Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig

Goth comedian Fielding was originally paired with sharp quiz show host Toksvig when the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) moved from the BBC to Channel 4.

The contrast between their polar energies – Fielding’s goth alternative style and Toksvig’s grounded wit – provided the show what it needed to start afresh on the broadcaster, filling the tent with their warmth and quirkiness.

– Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding

Soon after Toksvig left, former Big Brother star Hammond took on the permanent role on GBBO and joined comedian Fielding in the tent along with TV cook Paul Hollywood and, up until recently Dame Prue Leith.

Noel Fielding has presented Bake Off with Sandi Toksvig and Alison Hammond (PA) (PA Archive)
Noel Fielding has presented Bake Off with Sandi Toksvig and Alison Hammond (PA) (PA Archive)

The pairing of Hammond’s bubbly and warm personality with Fielding’s more absurdist style was not a match people expected but one that has become core to the programme, giving it a chaotic, lively and fun energy.

– Coleen Nolan and Twiggy

The two took on ITV’s flagship programme This Morning in 2001. However, the former Nolans singer and ex- supermodel did not translate well together on screen.

They were two of the four replacements drafted in to replace Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. However, just one month after taking on the role, Twiggy was axed after critics said her style was wooden and many viewers had contacted the show to say they were unhappy with the new presenter.

– Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood

Former model Fox and the Fleetwood Mac star looked like rabbits caught in headlights when they hosted the Brits in 1989.

The pairing for the music awards show was remembered for all the wrong reasons as they stumbled their way through the ceremony amid technical difficulties.

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