Entertainment
Davina McCall quits Changing Rooms reboot after filming schedule becomes ‘a nightmare’
Davina McCall has had to pull out of the Changing Rooms reboot after The Masked Singer made it ‘impossible’ for her to continue.
The 53-year-old TV host was confirmed in October to be joining Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in Channel 4’s fresh take on the home makeover show, stating she couldn’t wait to ‘get stuck in’.
But five months later, and it’s become impossible for her to juggle her commitments travelling the country with her role as a judge on The Masked Singer, and its spin-off The Masked Dancer.
‘The lockdown and pandemic have played havoc with the schedule and sadly Davina has said she won’t be able to commit,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It’s the last thing anyone wanted but she is so busy with other filming commitments.
‘Everyone on Changing Rooms is gutted as getting Davina on board was a huge coup for the reboot.’
Davina’s reps have confirmed the news to Metro.co.uk.
Despite the setback, the series – originally hosted by Carol Smilie – is still going ahead, with a six-episode series planning to launch at some point later this year.
But filming is currently restricted due to lockdown – with contractors and camera crew, plus the presenters going in and out of peoples’ homes.
Currently, Laurence is the only original member of the team to be announced as returning, having been a central role in the BBC series from 1996 to 2004.
He later hosted the show after years working as a competing interior designer, with his flair for colour often resulting in mixed reactions from the homeowners.
Speaking when the show was confirmed, it looks like he’s not toning down his tastes for anyone.
‘There’s no room for beige in our homes and, just as it was in the 90s, Changing Rooms is once more the homestyle antidote to Britain’s blues (and greys and taupes, and even Magnolia),’ Laurence said.
‘It’s taken quite a lot of coaxing to get me under the Changing Rooms banner once more, but nothing like as much coaxing as it’s going to take for me to squeeze those leather trousers back on.’
Changing Rooms is yet to be given an air date by Channel 4.
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