RICHARD AYOADE is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after men in television.
After being touted for the Bake Off hosting job, and getting the Crystal Maze gig— he is now a surprise contender to replace PETER CAPALDI as Dr Who.
The quirky comic, famed for his role as Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd, has caught the eye of BBC bosses as they look to fill the coveted role.
And if he got the part, it would mean he would be the first black actor to fill the role in 13 attempts.
A source said: “Richard is very highly thought of in the industry and is well liked.
“Beeb bosses have discussed him as an option to replace Peter as they think he would bring something different to the role.
“The final decision is still some way off and it’s all to play for. He’s very much seen as a Channel 4 poster boy so tempting him away would be something of a coup.”
A BBC spokeswoman declined to comment on speculation over the role yesterday.
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Recent reports suggested that PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE— the star of BBC Three show Fleabag — had already got the job, but I’m told it’s far from a done deal.
Bookies even suspended betting on who the next Doctor Who would be after a rush of bets on the actress, who won Best Female Comedy Performance at the Baftas on Sunday.
New showrunner CHRIS CHIBNALL, who is replacing STEVEN MOFFAT when he leaves after the current series, is yet to make a final decision.
The source added: “There are still a few names in the mix, and Phoebe is one of them. Although, privately she has been telling friends that she has not been offered the job.”
Other names in the hat include former Death in Paradise star KRIS MARSHALL, Broadchurch’s OLIVIA COLMAN and TILDA SWINTON.
However, I revealed last month how BBC bosses had told a fan that there are “currently no plans” for a female Doctor Who.
It should go to whoever is right for the job.
KEITH AND PADDY GET SEQUEL
PREPARE for KEITH LEMON and PADDY McGUINNESS doing more outrageous impressions of iconic movies.
The telly favourites will be bringing back their ITV sketch series The Keith & Paddy Picture Show after the first run proved a hit, with celebrity guests including ANNA FRIEL, ROBBIE WILLIAMS and MICHELLE KEEGAN.
And the pair are already eyeing up more big names.
Keith said: “BRAD PITT would be good. We have also talked about doing Gremlins and getting ZACH GALLIGAN because he’s a friend of mine now, which is weird.”
Keith also revealed they had tried to get IDRIS ELBA to appear after meeting him on ITV’s The JONATHAN ROSS Show.
That would be quite a signing.
Kate’s got a Bay with swimsuit
IF the local swimming pool in Brentwood needs a new lifeguard, it should look no further.
Towie’s KATE WRIGHT did her best PAMELA ANDERSON impression as she donned a skimpy red cossie in a sexy Instagram snap, which she captioned “baewatch moment”.
And RIO FERDINAND’s new girlfriend looked nearly identical to Pammy – who made a splash in the Nineties TV show – as she wore her blonde locks loose while showing off her figure.
Martin in line for Victoria
LINE of Duty star MARTIN COMPSTON is swapping waistcoats for breeches and top hats.
The actor, who played DS Steve Arnott in the BBC1 show, has bagged himself another primetime role in ITV’s Victoria.
Martin will play Dr Robert Traill opposite lead actors JENNA COLEMAN and TOM HUGHES in the Sunday night drama about the British monarchy.
His character is a key campaigner when it comes to a petition to gain awareness for those suffering from the potato famine in Ireland during the 1840s.
Around one million people are said to have died of starvation.
The eight-part second series – which includes a two-hour Christmas special – has once again been written by show creator and executive producer DAISY GOODWIN.
Picking up six weeks after the first instalment ended, the new series follows Victoria – played by Jenna – as she becomes a working mother and learns to balance her responsibilities as both a parent and queen.
And as Prince Albert continues to look for a suitable role for himself, there is a power struggle between husband and wife.
Jenna’s real-life boyfriend Tom plays her on-screen husband.
Getting paid to act opposite your other half isn’t a bad gig.
SOAPBOX
ROXANNE PALLETT has hinted she could return to EMMERDALE.
The actress, who left the Dales eight years ago, said: “Emmerdale left the door open . . . and I’d totally consider a return if it was right for both the writers and me.
“I got a call a couple of years ago but I was out of the country filming so it wasn’t to be.”
Roxanne, who was at Sunday’s Baftas with official partners Charles Worthington and St Tropez, took part in Dancing On Ice after her soap departure.
And she’s urging Good Morning Britain host PIERS MORGAN to compete when the show relaunches.
She said: “He’d scrub up nicely in sequins and could handle the pressure of being on thin ice.” I’d pay to see that.
Comedians Vic and Bob set to reboot nineties classic
COMIC duo VIC REEVES and BOB MORTIMER have entertained us for years – and they’re not about to stop now.
I can reveal the much-loved double act will be rebooting Nineties classic Vic Reeves Big Night Out later this year for BBC2.
The surreal comedy – the only time in their careers where Vic presents solo – originally aired on Channel 4 in 1990.
It was a parody of once-popular TV variety shows which, by that time, were falling out of favour. The reboot will be a one-off half-hour special which will introduce new characters and bring back some old favourites.
I’m told there will be surprise cameo appearances and a very well-known television show will be subjected to the “Vic & Bob makeover treatment”.
The special will be directed by MAT WHITECROSS, the man behind the recent OASIS film, Supersonic.
In a typically bizarre comment, Vic and Bob said: “This is the show we wanted to perform back in the Eighties. Now the time is right.
“We will be increasing our respective heights in order to perform the intricate and challenging moments.”
Characters in the original two series included a monkey with MORRISSEY’s face, two leotard-wearing men called Talc & Turnips and The Man With The Stick.
They’ll be hard-pushed to come up with stranger characters than them.