‘The Nightly Show’ viewers can be forgiven for thinking they were suffering déjà vu on Monday (17 April) night, as Dermot O’Leary returned to the programme.
The ITV show was supposed to have a new guest host each week, but bosses decided to bring back Dermot for the final five shows.
ITV Pictures
Advertisement
The ‘X Factor’ host received positive reviews when he fronted the show - which has struggled to impress critics and pull in viewers - last month, but has the decision to bring him back paid off?
As always, a number of fans were ready to offer their take on Dermot’s return on Twitter and (most) had positive things to say…
Advertisement
Advertisement
‘The Nightly Show’ controversially replaced the 10pm news, and despite the fact it failed to capture the nation’s attention, it’s been reported that there’s every chance it could return later this year.
It’s not just TV critics who haven’t enjoyed what they’ve seen, and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Amanda Holden is among those who have stated that the programme “hasn’t worked”.
Amanda did not hold back during an interview with HuffPost UK last week, when she said: “Probably what ITV should have done is given ‘The Nightly Show’ to two females, and then maybe it would have been successful.” Ouch!
Simon Amstell
Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
If 'The Nightly Show' really wants to offer an irreverent take on the week's news, they really need look no further than Simon Amstell.
Throughout his tenure on 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks', Simon sent up whichever stars crossed his path, no matter how high-profile, and while he's devoted himself to writing and stand-up in recent years, he'd be the perfect if ITV want to bring a bit of edge to series two of 'The Nightly Show'.
Throughout his tenure on 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks', Simon sent up whichever stars crossed his path, no matter how high-profile, and while he's devoted himself to writing and stand-up in recent years, he'd be the perfect if ITV want to bring a bit of edge to series two of 'The Nightly Show'.
Lily Allen
Marc Piasecki via Getty Images
Where 'Saturday Night Live' - the long-serving American variety show - triumphs is when stars who aren't presenters or comedians get to take centre stage as guest host.
A singer like Lily Allen would be a great celeb to take a chance on for five nights of 'The Nightly Show', especially as she's got no qualms about speaking her opinion, no matter the topic.
A singer like Lily Allen would be a great celeb to take a chance on for five nights of 'The Nightly Show', especially as she's got no qualms about speaking her opinion, no matter the topic.
Mel and Sue
Dave M. Benett via Getty Images
If there's one thing that can't be denied about Mel and Sue, it's their professionalism.
Even if they deliver a joke that doesn't land, the two somehow manage to pull it off, which 'The Nightly Show' could definitely have done with during its first run.
Mel and Sue were among the initial rumoured guest hosts of the ITV topical show, but ultimately couldn't make it work due to 'scheduling conflicts', so let's hope they can get their diaries straight second time around.
Even if they deliver a joke that doesn't land, the two somehow manage to pull it off, which 'The Nightly Show' could definitely have done with during its first run.
Mel and Sue were among the initial rumoured guest hosts of the ITV topical show, but ultimately couldn't make it work due to 'scheduling conflicts', so let's hope they can get their diaries straight second time around.
Advertisement
Rylan Clark-Neal and Alison Hammond
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
Alternatively, if 'The Nightly Show' is going to be open to duos second time around, we think they need look no further than This Morning's Rylan and Alison.
The unlikely duo are able to brighten up even the drabbest of mornings, and given Rylan's already got late-night talk show experience, we think having Alison at his side could only make him even stronger.
True, we can't exactly imagine them lampooning the political news of the day or giving a serious piece to camera, but you know there'd be laughs aplenty (which were arguably lacking from the first series).
The unlikely duo are able to brighten up even the drabbest of mornings, and given Rylan's already got late-night talk show experience, we think having Alison at his side could only make him even stronger.
True, we can't exactly imagine them lampooning the political news of the day or giving a serious piece to camera, but you know there'd be laughs aplenty (which were arguably lacking from the first series).
Alesha Dixon
Samir Hussein via Getty Images
We reckon ITV might have put the wrong 'Britain's Got Talent' judge in the spotlight when they launched with David Walliams in 2017.
While Alesha's presenting history might be a bit ropey, we'd put that down to the quality of shows like 'Dance Dance Dance' and 'Your Face Looks Familiar' rather than her own abilities as a TV personality.
Watching her in interviews, Alesha is constantly chatty, articulate and opinionated, and we can imagine her being a great host if she had the chance.
While Alesha's presenting history might be a bit ropey, we'd put that down to the quality of shows like 'Dance Dance Dance' and 'Your Face Looks Familiar' rather than her own abilities as a TV personality.
Watching her in interviews, Alesha is constantly chatty, articulate and opinionated, and we can imagine her being a great host if she had the chance.
Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora
Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images
Nick and Rita's brief stint on the 'X Factor' judging panel is not looked on favourably, which is a shame, really, as their's is a friendship we're always happy to see on stage.
While their co-presenting efforts are mostly restrained to awards shows, we do think they'd bring a young edge to 'The Nightly Show'.
While their co-presenting efforts are mostly restrained to awards shows, we do think they'd bring a young edge to 'The Nightly Show'.
Advertisement
Miriam Margoyles
Ian Gavan via Getty Images
Then again, chasing the 'young edge' might not be the way to go.
Whenever Miriam makes a talk show appearance (usually 'The Graham Norton Show'), it is always a riot, so there would be guaranteed laughs.
Whenever Miriam makes a talk show appearance (usually 'The Graham Norton Show'), it is always a riot, so there would be guaranteed laughs.
Charlie Brooker
Jeff Spicer via Getty Images
Nobody does snark quite like Charlie Brooker, so if ITV is really looking for someone to send up the week's news in an irreverent fashion, they need look no further than the man behind 'Newswipe' and 'Black Mirror'.
Noel Fielding
Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images
Of course, there's irreverent and then there's downright wacky.
The 'Mighty Boosh' star's sense of humour isn't for everyone, but given that 'The Nightly Show' wasn't exactly pulling in viewers in their droves, why not take a risk and go with someone as left-field as Noel?
Plus, he's about to bag a whole load of new fans, thanks to his upcoming stint on 'Great British Bake Off'.
The 'Mighty Boosh' star's sense of humour isn't for everyone, but given that 'The Nightly Show' wasn't exactly pulling in viewers in their droves, why not take a risk and go with someone as left-field as Noel?
Plus, he's about to bag a whole load of new fans, thanks to his upcoming stint on 'Great British Bake Off'.
Advertisement
Michaela Coel
Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock
When you've got presenters reading out pre-written jokes, you're always going to run the risk of the humour falling flat.
With stars like Michaela - who's already proved her writing chops in the past two series of 'Chewing Gum', as well as her delivery - that risk is eliminated.
Plus, 'The Nightly Show' could potentially be a great place to showcase rising stars in the comedy world, rather than just already-established names.
With stars like Michaela - who's already proved her writing chops in the past two series of 'Chewing Gum', as well as her delivery - that risk is eliminated.
Plus, 'The Nightly Show' could potentially be a great place to showcase rising stars in the comedy world, rather than just already-established names.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
David M. Benett via Getty Images
Similarly, 'Fleabag' star Phoebe is about to be everywhere, so ITV would do well to snap up the up-and-comer for a week of shows while they still can.
will.i.am
David Fisher/Rex/Shutterstock
The 'Voice' judge has made no secret of his love of his new home on ITV, the man made a music video with the cast of 'Coronation Street', for crying out loud.
We reckon Will's unique outlook would definitely make for an interesting spin on the week's big news stories, though admittedly the jury's out on how well he'd manage steering an interview.
We reckon Will's unique outlook would definitely make for an interesting spin on the week's big news stories, though admittedly the jury's out on how well he'd manage steering an interview.
Advertisement
Joanna Lumley
NBC via Getty Images
Away from the acting world, national treasure Joanna Lumley is known for tackling serious topics, so it's often forgotten that as Patsy Stone in 'Ab Fab', she's totally not afraid to make a fool of herself.
Give her a week on 'The Nightly Show', and we reckon Joanna could truly shine - she's hilarious, she's informed and she's not afraid to get stuck in.
Give her a week on 'The Nightly Show', and we reckon Joanna could truly shine - she's hilarious, she's informed and she's not afraid to get stuck in.
Gary Lineker
John Phillips via Getty Images
Almost 20 years on 'Match Of The Day' has proved Gary's abilities as a professional and competent presenter, but a quick glance at his Twitter page shows he's got a lot more going on than just football.
Given the right platform, we think the always-opinionated TV personality could really offer a fresh take on the week's news, and if the BBC were willing to loosen those golden handcuffs of theirs for just five nights, 'The Nightly Show' could be the place for him to do it.
Given the right platform, we think the always-opinionated TV personality could really offer a fresh take on the week's news, and if the BBC were willing to loosen those golden handcuffs of theirs for just five nights, 'The Nightly Show' could be the place for him to do it.