Former Bake Off host lands new job replacing acting legend just weeks after show axe

SONY Music’s hit podcast Where There’s A Will There’s A Wake is making a grand return later this month – with a brand-new host in the form of a former Bake Off host.

Comedian and television presenter Mel Giedroyc will be taking over the hit podcast as the new ‘Mortician-in-Chief’ – replacing national treasure Kathy Burke.

Mel Giedroyc will be taking over the hit podcastCredit: Getty

This comes after Kathy’s fond – and typically foul-mouthed – farewell from the showCredit: GettyThe former Bake Off star steps into Kathy’s shoes after her fond – and typically foul-mouthed – farewell from the show.

Mel will now lead the darkly hilarious podcast where celebs get morbidly creative, mapping out their dream death day from start to finish – coffin, casket and all.

Along with Sue Perkins, Mel has previously co-hosted series including Light Lunch for Channel 4, The Great British Bake Off for the BBC and chat show Mel and Sue for ITV.

Mel has also brought her cheeky charm to shows like Taskmaster, The Magic Request Show and Eurovision: You Decide.

Now she’s bringing that same playful flair to the afterlife, as she gets stuck into grave matters with a glittering line-up of celebrity guests.

Mel said: “What a complete honour it is to step in as the new resident mischief-maker at Where There’s a Will There’s a Wake.

“I’ll be gleefully rifling through the coffins of the great and good, unearthing their deathly daydreams, and scrubbing up my halo (or perhaps pitchfork) as I guide them into the great beyond… Now, where did I put my scythe and clipboard?”

This season, all episodes will be available in video for the first time.

Previous guests of the show have included Claudia Winkleman, Stanley Tucci, Kim Cattrall, Bob Mortimer, Lily Allen and Michael Sheen.

New episodes release weekly on all major podcast platforms starting Tuesday 20 May.

This comes just weeks after ITV has called time on Mel’s television version of the beloved game Pictionary after a single series.

The classic guessing game in which one team member draws a scenario for a group to guess didn’t capture fans and grab ratings.

An ITV spokesperson said: “There are no plans at this stage to make any more Pictionary.”

The programme featured celebrity guests including Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, Brian Conley and Denise Van Outen.

It offered cash prizes and holidays for the winners when it ran from Christmas 2024 through to February of this year.

A source said: “So many quiz shows have been inspired by beloved board games and the assumption was Pictionary would become an instant hit.

“Sadly the ratings were poor and celebrity-led panels require a budget, which in this case wasn’t deemed worth expending.”

Watch and listen to new episodes of Where There’s A Will There’s A Wake with Mel Giedroyc every week from Tuesday 20 May.

Mel is best known for co-hosting The Great British Bake Off with Sue PerkinsCredit: BBC Press Release

Mel’s television version of Pictionary has been axed after a single seriesCredit: ITV