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Perfect pairs and mismatched couples - unlikely presenting combos from TV history

(L-R) Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe, and Emma Willis Photo: BBC/Ray Burmiston
The new Strictly Come Dancing host line-up (L-R) Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe, and Emma Willis Photo: BBC/Ray Burmiston

Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe 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 Bruce Forsyth

Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth at BBC Television Centre on 7 September, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The original Strictly Come Dancing presenters were an unlikely match with model Daly joining the BBC One show aged 35 alongside Forsyth, who was 76 at the time. The pair brought a balance of Forsyth's old-school traditional broadcasting with Daly's modern, bright style.

Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig

Photo: Channel 4/Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Archive/PA Images

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

Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond Photo: Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA Archive/PA Images
Photo: Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA Archive/PA Images

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

Coleen Nolan and Twiggy

Twiggy (L) and Coleen Nolan present the ITV show This Morning for the first time. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Archive/PA Images
Photo: Yui Mok/PA Archive/PA Images

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

Hosts Mick Fleetwood and Samantha Fox at the BRIT Awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 18 February 1989. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Photo: Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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

Source: Press Association

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