Dermot Murnaghan has been secretly axed from BBC2 quiz show Eggheads and replaced full time with Jeremy Vine
The Sky presenter first took the helm in 2003 before Jeremy shared hosting duties from 2008
THE question “What’s happened to DERMOT MURNAGHAN?” would leave the Eggheads themselves scratching their heads.
The newscaster had fronted the long-running BBC2 quiz since its first series in 2003 — before bosses drafted in JEREMY VINE to share the hosting duties in 2008.
But Dermot hasn’t been seen on the show for months.
Now I’ve finally got to the bottom of the conundrum: Dermot has been axed.
The presenting duo agreed to split the role, with Dermot filming the first half of each series and Jeremy taking over his chair for the second part.
Yet the Sky News veteran has not been seen on screen for more than a year and I’m told he has secretly departed.
A source said: “For years, Dermot was a big part of Eggheads, then suddenly he just disappeared.
“It took a while for it to become obvious because the hosting job was split between Dermot and Jeremy.
“But it seems odd for it to have happened so quietly without anybody saying anything.
“It’s like they just pretended he had never been there.”
TV sources say bosses decided to stick with Jeremy because he was more of a “BBC face” due to his work on Radio 2 and shows such as Points Of View and Panorama.
Dermot, meanwhile, is best known for his work with Sky.
But yesterday his agent insisted Dermot left because his busy schedule meant he was unable to commit to the show, adding: “He just had too much work to cram in.”
Eggheads is filmed in Glasgow and features a regular panel of quiz experts against a team of challengers competing for a cash prize if they can beat the brainboxes.
I’ve mocked myself up as a contestant answering the question that has been troubling viewers.
There’s no doubt about the answer now.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Jess is in the CBB houseSHE’S made no secret of her crush on CALUM BEST in the Big Brother house – but friends of JESSICA CUNNINGHAM say her boyfriend is fine about it.
The former Apprentice candidate was seen stroking Calum’s face and telling him he is “cute” in last night’s episode.
Earlier Jess had moaned when the reality star gave her a shoulder massage.
But pals say Jess’s new boyfriend, her Apprentice co-star COURTNEY WOOD, is not worried and even gave her the go-ahead to have fun with the male housemates.
A friend of the couple revealed: “He essentially granted her a hall pass and told her he doesn’t mind any flirting.
“But we all know he will be secretly devastated if she does end up bedding someone.”
Courtney might live to regret that.
A tough break for injured May
THE Grand Tour trio are always up for a challenge. But JAMES MAY faces a particularly tough one this week – driving with a broken arm.
Given he injured himself falling out of a pub, there’s little sympathy from co-hosts JEREMY CLARKSON or RICHARD HAMMOND.
They simply give him an automatic Maserati and send him to explore northern France.
Executive producer Andy Wilman said: “He’s falling to bits anyway. We are not in USAIN BOLT territory with that body.”
James will be Captain Extra Slow now.
Daniel's a little tinker
CORONATION Street lothario Peter Barlow has long been Weatherfield’s chief womaniser.
But the serial flirt’s stepbrother Daniel Osbourne looks set to take his place.
I’ve learned that Ken’s son Daniel, played by ROB MALLARD, will start dating Sinead Tinker.
And after a lot of bedroom action, Sinead (KATIE McGLYNN) will discover she is pregnant with Daniel’s baby.
A soap insider revealed: “Coronation Street has already had its fair share of baby drama this year.
“But the cobbles will once again be rocked by a pregnancy bombshell as Sinead discovers she’s pregnant with her new boyfriend Daniel’s baby – shortly after they start dating.
“Sinead tries to keep it a secret at first but Daniel soon stumbles across her pregnancy test.
“At first he thinks it might be her ex-boyfriend Chesney’s, but she assures him the baby is his.”
Weatherfield veteran Ken is far from happy when the couple tell him the news.
A soap insider added: “Ken is fuming when he finds out Daniel could be a dad at only 22 years old. He thinks Daniel’s being dragged down by Sinead and does his best to tell Daniel to stay away.”
Their house at No1 Coronation Street is going to need more bedrooms at this rate.
SOAPBOX
SEVERAL key EASTENDERS characters are going to be in danger as soap bosses reveal a week-long disaster special.
Taking a leaf out of Jack Bauer’s 24 playbook, next week’s three episodes will all centre on events from the same day.
The exact nature of the disaster is being kept hush-hush, but it’s safe to say the budget is going to be blown in an epic storyline, which will rock several Walford families.
In an annoying move for soap fans, the drama suffers an irritating schedule clash.
On Tuesday night, the aftermath of the stunt will overlap with an hour-long EMMERDALE special centred on Debbie Dingle’s long-awaited return.
Time to pick sides – or set the video.
