Channel 5 signs Strictly comedian

Susan Calman is the new Jane McDonald.

The comedian is taking over the singer’s two Channel 5 series, Cruising With and Holidaying With series.

Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Calman has previously hosted Secret Scotland for the broadcaster, too.

She said: ‘I can’t wait to go on exciting voyages and incredible journeys and take the wonderful viewers with me. It’s the start of a magnificent chapter.’

Channel 5’s director of programming Ben Frow added: ‘Susan was my first and only choice for these shows and I am absolutely cock-a-hoop that she is doing more with Channel 5. 

‘I have encouraged her to make both shows uniquely hers and I am genuinely excited to see how she evolves them in her own, inimitable style. The world is, literally, her oyster and I can’t wait to travel it with her.’

McDonald announced that she was leaving the shows last week, saying she wanted to spend more time in the UK, as well as concentrating on her music career, saying she’d ‘had a blast’ on the programmes.

Published: 4 Mar 2020