Killing off two prime-time BBC programmes would, for most presenters, signal the end of a career. For Paddy McGuinness, however, it seems to have done little to dent his prospects. Despite a string of public flops and plummeting ratings, the Lancashire-born comedian turned TV host continues to land high-profile roles at the Corporation, leaving colleagues and viewers alike scratching their heads.
It all began when the BBC, hoping to craft a new golden boy, handed McGuinness two of their marquee shows: A Question Of Sport, where he replaced the much-loved Sue Barker, and Top Gear. While the disaster of Top Gear involved complex factors—including Freddie Flintoff’s life-altering car crash—the collapse of A Question Of Sport is easier to trace: ratings tumbled from four million viewers in 2021 to just 800,000 by 2023, leading to its axing after just two series under McGuinness’s stewardship.
Yet, for reasons unknown to most, secret meetings had been quietly taking place at BBC Studios—the commercial arm of the Corporation—entirely devoted to securing McGuinness a new gig. Nicknamed “Project Paddy,” insiders say the initiative is driven by a trio of middle-aged, middle-class female executives described jokingly as “Paddy’s harem.” Their mission: ensure that Paddy never stays unemployed.
This devotion has even extended to high-profile vacancies, with the trio reportedly nudging McGuinness toward Strictly Come Dancing, though that particular venture flopped spectacularly. Still, their loyalty never wavered. This week, the BBC confirmed that McGuinness would host the reboot of the 1990s snooker-themed game show Big Break, returning after a 24-year hiatus. He will be joined by seven-time world snooker champion Stephen Hendry, who will take over John Virgo’s role of demonstrating trick shots.
BBC bosses appear to have banked on McGuinness’s “laddy” image—sharpened by his recent musclebound cover appearance for Men’s Health—to attract male viewers to Big Break. But public reaction was, at best, mixed. Many questioned how a presenter more famous for his turbulent personal life—including a very public divorce from his wife Christine—could be handed yet another flagship hosting role.
Paddy and Christine were once the epitome of the wholesome British TV couple, admired for their openness about their three children, all of whom are on the autism spectrum. But their divorce turned nasty, and friends allege Paddy required Christine to sign a non-disclosure agreement about their marriage—claims he strongly denies. Meanwhile, his romantic life has attracted attention, including links to former Sky Sports host Kirsty Gallacher. Christine, for her part, has publicly described herself as a “five-star lesbian.”
Given these personal controversies and professional setbacks, McGuinness would seem an unlikely candidate for continued BBC backing. Yet, the answer lies in that trio of devoted female executives, who have shaped his career behind the scenes.
All three women have deep roots in McGuinness’s past success. They first collaborated on ITV’s dating show Take Me Out, which ran for 11 series between 2010 and 2019 and launched Paddy into national stardom. “These women just love Paddy,” one insider reveals. “They made Take Me Out with him all those years ago, and they adore him. Forget the fact that people don’t seem to like watching him on TV, and that he literally killed A Question Of Sport and contributed to the downfall of Top Gear. In their eyes, he’s the best thing ever to land at the BBC.”
The senior-most of this trio is Suzy Lamb, managing director of all entertainment shows at BBC Studios. Lamb, who joined BBC Studios in 2018, was instrumental in bringing McGuinness to co-host Top Gear alongside Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris—a pairing that ended disastrously. Despite this, she still championed McGuinness to replace Sue Barker on A Question Of Sport, with predictably poor results. “It has not gone unnoticed that Suzy is Paddy’s biggest fan,” says an insider. “Despite what happened with A Question Of Sport, she continues to champion him. It’s so obvious now it’s almost embarrassing—she might as well be holding a sign saying ‘I love Paddy.’”
Alongside Lamb is Sumi Connock, recently promoted to Executive Vice President, Creative Network & Formats at BBC Studios. Connock, heavily involved in McGuinness’s early ITV career, has long considered him untouchable. “Sumi and Paddy really get on well,” a source says. “In her eyes, Paddy can do no wrong. When she left ITV for the BBC, Take Me Out was fading, and suddenly Paddy landed Top Gear. And now he’s getting Big Break. His lack of experience with snooker doesn’t seem to matter; she tells anyone who will listen how brilliant he is.”
Finally, Amelia Brown, chief executive of Fremantle—the production company behind Britain’s Got Talent, The Apprentice, and now Big Break—has played a pivotal role. She previously oversaw I Can See Your Voice, which McGuinness hosted until its axing in 2022. Sources say Brown immediately sought to place Paddy in a new role following that disappointment, highlighting the importance of personal loyalty over public perception. “Amelia was gutted when I Can See Your Voice was axed,” says an insider. “As was Paddy. But she ensured he landed a job as soon as she could. Paddy is very, very lucky.”
This combination of personal allegiance and strategic placement has kept McGuinness on air despite repeated misfires. From Top Gear to A Question Of Sport, and now Big Break, the same pattern repeats: McGuinness falters, critics call him out, yet the trio of female executives continues to shield him and find him new opportunities.
His career trajectory, despite being rocky, demonstrates a rare phenomenon in the UK TV industry: the power of senior backers, particularly women in executive roles, willing to overlook past failures to preserve and promote a familiar face. While audiences may question his suitability, the BBC insiders argue that loyalty, proven chemistry with producers, and public recognition are enough to sustain his career.
Yet, this loyalty is not without controversy. Many within the Corporation question why someone with a string of cancelled shows and declining ratings continues to be favoured. Critics point to McGuinness’s very public personal life as another reason for concern, noting that off-screen drama can affect on-screen credibility.
Despite these criticisms, McGuinness seems impervious. His fanfare-filled unveiling alongside Stephen Hendry for Big Break signals that the BBC is prepared to give him yet another chance, banking on nostalgia and his “laddy” persona to carry the reboot.
In the end, McGuinness’s continued presence on the BBC is less about ratings or recent success and more about a rare, almost personal network of supporters in positions of power. Suzy Lamb, Sumi Connock, and Amelia Brown—the so-called “Paddy’s harem”—ensure that for the time being, he remains a fixture on British television screens, ready to take on legacy shows, however risky the choice may seem.
From family man to controversial divorcee, from failing shows to snooker game-show host, McGuinness’s career is a testament to resilience—or perhaps to the extraordinary influence of loyal allies behind the scenes. Either way, for viewers and critics, it’s a spectacle they can’t stop watching.
