MO GILLIGAN followed in JAMES CORDEN’s footsteps by hosting the Brits – and now he’s being lined up to take his place on The Late Late Show.
I can reveal The Masked Singer judge is the favourite to replace James when he leaves the US chat show next year.
The Londoner has impressed programme bosses since moving to LA to film That’s My Jam, the British version of a popular Stateside music and comedy off- ering hosted by another chat show king, Jimmy Fallon.
A source said: “TV execs can’t get enough of Mo.
They appreciate that, like James when he first started, Mo’s currently not a household name in the US but he’s got the potential to be.
A shortlist of replacements for James is being drawn up and Mo is at the top of the list.”
James announced last April he was quitting The Late Late Show to spend more time with his family in the UK.
He became its host in 2015, after Scottish comic Craig Ferguson left.
Gavin & Stacey star James — who admitted standing down was a “hard decision” — has been a huge success in the US, landing a number of lucrative film roles.
Mo revealed in August he wanted to break America, having hosted The Lateish Show, the rebooted The Big Breakfast, plus the Brits in the UK.
His debut fronting the music bash last February was well received. But James will be a hard act to follow.
No Holden back
AMANDA Holden has a new favourite hobby other than posing in her bikini – roasting Jimmy Carr.
The Heart FM host says she’s constantly ribbing the comedian while they film BBC1 series I Can See Your Voice.
And thankfully for Amanda, Jimmy loves it – but obviously doesn’t hold back trading insults with his co-star.
She revealed: “I can give as good as I get, but he normally gives better.
“But I’ve done tax jokes, I’ve done plastic surgery jokes, I’ve poked fun at his hair transplant.
“Anytime I can, I’ve got in the sort of low punches.
“He loves it! He loves a comedy roast.”
Amanda even says Jimmy praises her best gags, demanding production keep them in the final edit.
She explains: “He’s very generous as well.
“He’ll often laugh at a gag and afterwards he’ll say, ‘God, I hope they keep that in. That was really funny. You’re really funny.’
“And for it to come from him is the biggest compliment in the world. Because obviously he knows what he is talking about.”
The new series of I Can See Your Voice starts this Saturday, with Alison Hammond once again joining Amanda and Jimmy on the panel trying to determine whether the guest music artists are genuine singers or not.
Paddy McGuinness is returning as host.
Jimmy and Amanda won’t be short of material on him.