Speculation mounts over Jason Manford’s One Show replacement

Speculation has already begun over who will replace Jason Manford on The One Show after the comedian sensationally quit the BBC magazine programme yesterday.

Barely four months into his role as co-presenter of the popular weekday magazine programme Jason Manford announced yesterday he was quitting the series to concentrate on “family and tour commitments”. In an interview with The Sun newspaper Manford confessed to having had online conversations with fans that “went too far”.

Jason Manford and co-presenter Alex Jones were chosen by the BBC to replace Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles who defected to ITV over the Summer. Now the BBC faces the prospect of finding another new host for The One Show just months after its previous search.

Predictably the tabloids have already begun to speculate as to whom the corporation will opt for. Current favourite amongst the tabloids is Matt Baker who is currently appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and has presented The One Show on an occasional basis. Baker, a former Blue Peter presenter, is also one of the presenters on Countryfile – the Sunday evening rural affairs magazine programme which has seen its ratings top 7 million in recent weeks.

Matt Baker seems an ideal candidate to replace Manford for The One Show having previously presented it alongside Alex Jones and is enjoying popularity due to his stint on Strictly. However, its likely between now and any announcement – be that days or weeks off – by the BBC on a replacement other names will be linked to The One Show.