Alex Scott has been announced as a Children In Need 2020 presenter.
The former footballer, 36, will join Chris Ramsey and Stephen Mangan to co-host the BBC charity show on 13 November with Mel Giedroyc.
Talking about the news, Alex, who is hotly tipped to replace presenter Sue Barker on A Question Of Sport, said the position is a ‘complete honour’.
Exciting! Alex Scott has been announced as a Children In Need 2020 presenter (pictured in 2019)
The former Strictly contestant said: ‘It feels so surreal to be a presenter on BBC Children In Need – it’s a complete honour. It has been a show which I have grown up with, so to be joining the presenting line-up is amazing.
‘I don’t think a little eight-year-old Alex watching at home all those years ago would have ever dreamed that one day she could be presenting it.
‘It goes to show that anything can happen, no matter your circumstances or background – never stop dreaming. It’s going to be a great show, for an incredible cause, so see everyone on 13th November.’
Elsewhere comedian Chris, 34, who recently released his best-selling book Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. with pregnant wife Rosie, said he was shocked to be asked.
Dream team: The former footballer, 36, will join Chris Ramsey and Stephen Mangan to co-host the BBC charity show on 13 November (L-R)
Lovely: BBC Children In Need is an annual fundraiser which raises money for disadvantaged children, the trio will join lead host Mel Giedroyc, 52, during the show (pictured in 2019)
In his typical humour, the star quipped: ‘BBC Children In Need is a national institution and the show is an amazing night for an incredible cause.
‘When they asked me to be involved in the show I assumed I’d be dressed up as Pudsey or something but they actually want me to be on the presenting team.
‘It’s a huge honour and I’m looking forward to helping to raise huge amounts of money and also not sweating as much as I would have in the Pudsey costume.’
While Green Wing actor Stephen, 52, added: ‘I could not be more honoured to be part of this year’s BBC Children In Need, especially during such difficult times.
An honour: Talking about the news, Alex, who is hotly tipped to replace presenter Sue Barker on A Question Of Sport, said the position is a ‘complete honour’
‘BBC Children In Need is an incredibly important institution and this year more than ever we need to get together to do all we can to help disadvantaged children.’
BBC Children In Need is an annual fundraiser which raises money for disadvantaged children, the trio will join lead host Mel, 52, during the show.
Earlier this year Children In Need and Comic Relief worked together to create The Big Night In at the height of the coronavirus lockdown in April. They raised an incredible £67,110,010 for charity.
Former footballer Alex has been at the centre of much discussion – and relentless online trolling – amid rumours she’s set to become the new host of BBC’s A Question Of Sport, replacing Sue Barker, who was axed after 24 years.
Shocked! Elsewhere comedian Chris, 34, who recently released his best-selling book Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. with pregnant wife Rosie, pictured, said he was shocked to be asked
However, while the gig has yet to be confirmed, Alex recently revealed to Hello! that she’s choosing to focus on the majority of positive comments she receives for her punditry on the BBC and Sky since she retired from playing sports.
Speaking of her career transition, she said: ‘At first, I thought no one liked me on TV as there was a whole lot of negativity online, but I’ve got to a place now where those sorts of comments are only like 10 to 20 per cent and I have a whole audience that does love me and is behind me.
‘I don’t want to let that small percentage stop me or get me down when I’ve worked so hard to be where I am.’
Alex said she used to go to recording studios after training to get experience, and did a degree in sports writing and broadcasting, adding that she ‘prepares extensively for every show’.
Charity: Earlier this year Children In Need and Comic Relief worked together to create The Big Night In at the height of the coronavirus lockdown in April. They raised an incredible £67,110,010 for charity
Insisting that it is ‘OK to be more than one thing’, she said: ‘I can put on a dress but also the next day put on my football boots, and that should be celebrated.’
Scott’s latest interview was unveiled days after she insisted her A Question Of Sport hosting job is not yet a done deal as she thanked fans for their ‘love and support’.
The ex-England defender played down speculation BBC bosses have rubber-stamped her appointment to replace Sue.
Rumours of her new presenting role were met with a fierce Twitter backlash which included vile trolling.
Earlier this month, Alex admitted that she is continually accused of ‘ticking a box’ in her broadcasting career, despite having completed a media degree.
BBC’s Children In Need 2020 will air on November 13 at 7pm on BBC One.
Rumoured: Alex has been targeted by vile trolls after she was tipped to become A Question Of Sports new host. Sue Barker, 64, was axed from the show, alongside team captains Matt Dawson (left) and Phil Tufnell (right)