Odds on The One Show’s Next Permanent Presenter

Jermaine Jenas and Alex Jones, BBC One Show presenters, as speculation rises about Jenas' replacement. (Image: PA Images / Alamy)

The One Show could be on the lookout for a new permanent presenter after Jermaine Jenas was recently axed from the BBC evening series.

Following his sacking, the former footballer has admitted he sent "inappropriate messages" to two colleagues on The One Show and that he is "ashamed" of his behaviour, but insisted to The Sun newspaper he had done "nothing illegal." As well as losing his spot as a regular presenter on the programme, Jenas has also been axed as a pundit from Match of the Day.

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It was thought the ex-England star was gearing up to becoming Gary Lineker's natural successor on the football highlights show. Jenas had joined The One Show in 2021 and regularly co-hosted alongside Alex Jones, who recently hinted she wasn't planning to leave the programme. 

Jones told Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast: "People ask a lot: 'What do you want to do next? Don't you want to do a big entertainment show?' I'm like, 'What do you mean?' I'm really happy. All new projects are exciting and a new challenge but actually it would be really amiss of anybody to overlook the bread and butter."

But could one of the show's former regular presenters be about to do an Oasis and make a huge comeback? 

Matt Back With The Family 

Matt Baker presented The One Show from 2011 until 2020, but the star recently dropped a huge hint that he might head back to the green sofa, which could be perfect timing for the programme.

Baker told The Sun: "All of the shows that I've worked on over the years, like Blue Peter especially, you leave the show but you don't leave the family. I think that's an important thing to remember and look for; if they needed me, then I'm more than happy to have a chat with them and see how I can be helpful."

"Who knows at the moment, I've not had any conversations with anybody, but like I say, it's a show that I still absolutely love. I spent nine years of my life dedicated to it and it's a show that's very close to my heart." If that isn't a come-and-get-me plea, I don't know what is.

Matt Baker is a frontrunner to return as the show's permanent host. (Image: Jonny McGrady / Alamy Stock Photo)

Baker is an 8/11 favourite to be the next permanent presenter of the show, while former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Oti Mabuse is Evens second favourite. Since leaving the BBC Latin and ballroom show in 2021, Oti has turned her hand to presenting, fronting Romeo & Duet and Saturday series Oti Mabuse’s Breakfast Show, both on ITV. But a return to the BBC could be on the cards if bosses give her a call about the One Show vacancy.  

Rylan Has The One Show X Factor

Like Oti, Rylan Clark has mastered the art of appearing on both the BBC and ITV over the years. After getting his big break on ITV's The X Factor in 2012, it's fair to say Rylan’s career has not looked back.

Recently, the star could be seen guest hosting ITV’s brunchtime show This Morning, but he's also appeared on the BBC plenty of times, including starring on the BBC Two show Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour, alongside Rob Rinder. What's more, he has a BBC Radio 4 podcast and previously fronted Strictly spin-off It Takes Two.

There was a time when it felt as though Rylan was hosting just about everything on TV, including the likes of Big Brother's Bit on the Side, Supermarket Sweep, and Ready Steady Cook, as well as previously fronting a BBC Radio 2 show. The BBC know exactly what Rylan is about and if they want a safe pair of hands to steady The One Show ship, then he could get the call.

Rylan is 6/4 to rock up as the next The One Show host, while current Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, who has also guest presented This Morning, is 2/1 fourth favourite to be the next presenter of the evening programme. 

Vernon has some recent experience on the series, after he guest hosted The One Show in July alongside Lauren Laverne, one of the programme's regular presenters.

Other The One Show guest hosts who could be in the conversation for a permanent role include Zoe Ball (3/1) and Angela Scanlon (4/1), while BBC favourites Alex Scott (5/1) and Gabby Logan (6/1) could also be in with a shot. 

Frontrunner Alex

However, both Alex and Gabby appear more likely to take over on Match of the Day when Lineker hangs up his microphone one day. The top TV job had looked Jenas' for the taking, and the ex-Newcastle United midfielder even admitted his interest in the position last year.

In April 2023, he told the Daily Mail newspaper: "I would obviously be up for it—it’s Match of the Day and it would be a great opportunity."

"Gary has got plenty of legs in him and I don’t see him going anywhere soon. But when that day comes, which it will do, I would like to think that I have at least thought about filling the position. If that is the case, then I would obviously jump at it."

Match of the Day looks for a new successor to Gary Lineker's long-standing role. (Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)

Lineker previously said Jenas was "probably drifting more towards my role" and recently hinted he may not have that long left in the hotseat. 

When asked in August about his Match of the Day future, Lineker told BBC Breakfast: "I don't know. It depends on how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment—I've still got another year left, at least."

Alex is the current 6/4 favourite to take over from Lineker, while Logan isn't far behind at 5/2. Another name likely to be in the frame is 2/1 shot Mark Chapman, who has been a safe pair of hands at the BBC for years, which has included fronting Match of the Day 2.

But if the BBC are looking to make a bigger statement with their appointment, then they could try to poach Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas, who knows all about the corporation after he worked on Blue Peter for six years. Thomas is a 3/1 shot for the Match of the Day gig, while Kelly Somers, who presents Premier League coverage on Amazon Prime, is 6/1.

If the BBC are seeking to follow in Lineker's footsteps and appoint a previous top flight goal machine to the role, then how about football pundits Dion Dublin (8/1), Alan Shearer (10/1), or even former MOTD pundit Ian Wright (25/1).

It seems unlikely, but football is a funny old game.