Freddie Flintoff ‘axed’ from hosting Australian version of Take Me Out ‘because of the way he speaks’
Freddie Flintoff was allegedly axed from hosting the Australian version of dating show Take Me Out because of his thick northern twang.
The cricketer, 43, is said to have filmed a pilot episode Down Under, but swiftly dismissed as a potential presenter.
This has been revealed by his Top Gear co-host Paddy McGuiness.
No likey? Freddie Flintoff was allegedly axed from hosting the Australian version of dating show Take Me Out because of his thick northern twang
As reports The Mirror, Paddy, 47, said: ‘Flintoff did the pilot… hilarious. It didn’t get commissioned, obviously.
‘He was like ‘Hello there… welcome to Take Me Out’… ‘Erm, a little bit more flow there, Fred’.’
MailOnline has approached reps for comment.
Paddy was the host of the UK’s version of Take Me Out for 10 years.
He was offered the Australian role first, but admitted he didn’t want to be away from his family – wife Christine, twins Leo and Penelope, seven, and daughter Felicity, five.
Failed attempt: The cricketer, 43, is said to have filmed a pilot episode Down Under, but swiftly dismissed as a potential presenter. This has been revealed by his Top Gear co-host Paddy McGuiness [pictured] who fronted Take Me Out in the UK
Explaining his children’s battle with autism, he explained: ‘When we realised there was something wrong with the kids and we got the autism diagnosis, we never told anyone for a while as we were dealing with it ourselves.
‘What I found myself doing was, my agent would go ‘we got you this fantastic job, we want you to go here, here and here’ and I’d be like ‘I don’t fancy it’ – and found myself doing that a lot.’
Paddy admitted that he nearly turned down Top Gear – which he and Freddie have hosted for three years – because of the travel it might involve.
No thanks! Paddy was offered the Australian role first, but admitted he didn’t want to be away from his family – wife Christine, twins Leo and Penelope, seven, and daughter Felicity, five
ITV axed Take Me Out a year ago, after 11 series.
The long-running show said its final farewell as bosses believed the programme had ‘run its course’ after airing for nine years.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed the news to The Sun last February, saying: ‘We’ve decided to say goodbye to Take Me Out.’
End of an era: ITV’s dating show was axed after 11 series on ITV in 2020
A TV source said: ‘ITV and Paddy have done all the specials you can eke out of a dating show, so it’s been decided it’s time for it to go.’
‘As with many shows, ratings have slid a bit in recent years. But it will go down as a big success — it’s had more weddings than Blind Date.’
Take Me Out sees a single man arrive on stage in a ‘love lift’ where he is greeted by a panel of 30 women.
Axed: The long-running show hosted by Paddy McGuinness has said its final farewell as bosses believed the programme had ‘run its course’ after airing for nine years
All the women have a ‘light’ on and the man has to try and convince as many of the ladies as possible to leave their lights on for him before he picks which girl he likes.
When the guy had found his match, the couple would then go on a date to the fictional location of the Isle of Fernando’s in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
While Take Me Out may be leaving the small screen, Paddy will be kept busy with co-hosting Top Gear.
A TV source said: ‘ITV and Paddy have done all the specials you can eke out of a dating show, so it’s been decided it’s time for it to go’
Show: While Take Me Out may be leaving the small screen, Paddy will be kept busy with co-hosting Top Gear with Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris
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