Channel 4's Alternative Election Night to return
- Channel 4's Alternative Election Night will return on 12th December for an 8-hour live broadcast
- This time Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Katherine Ryan will host, with Rylan Clark-Neal
- Matt Forde also hosts sections, whilst guests booked include Tom Watson and Amber Rudd
Satirical comedy and news format Channel 4's Alternative Election Night is to return on 12th December, to coincides with what has been dubbed the "Brexit Election".
It will be the fourth time Channel 4 has blended comedy and news reports to deliver General Election results to viewers. This time the show will be hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Katherine Ryan, with Rylan Clark-Neal "sense-checking results with a specially invited studio audience."
Channel 4's Alternative Election Night started in 2010. Hosted initially by Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne, it was a spin-off from the weekly 10 O'Clock Live.
The format returned in 2015, with Mitchell joined by Jeremy Paxman. The same presenting duo, plus Richard Osman, helmed the 2017 special.
Expectation, which makes series such as The Big Narstie Show and The Rob Rinder Verdict for Channel 4, is taking over from previous producers Zeppotron as the production company organising the broadcast. They will team up with news outfit ITN Productions to make the eight hour special, which will be broadcast live with a studio audience.
Comedian Matt Forde, who has previously worked in politics, will run the show's alternative news desk.
Other contributors will include Clare Balding, Rob Rinder and Channel 4 News political editor Gary Gibbon.
Meanwhile studio guests booked include Tez Ilyas, recently resigned Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, and former Conservative home secretary Amber Rudd.
Channel 4 says: "Throughout the night Krishnan, Katherine and Rylan will be joined by an eclectic mix of the country's biggest political figures and sharpest comedic talent to tell the dramatic story as it unfolds, with top-class analysis and some much-needed laughs.
"Clare Balding will have the results as they happen, Matt Forde will run the Alternative News Desk and the inimitable Rob Rinder will be out and about assessing the mood on the ground.
"Also In the studio will be exclusive heavyweight political guests including ex-Home Secretary Amber Rudd and former Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson, who will give their take on developments along with a host of comedians including Sophie Willan and Tez Ilyas, candidates and political bigwigs."
Katherine Ryan says: "I always stay up to watch the general elections and I hope to inject some insight and humour along with Krishnan Guru-Murthy throughout December 12th's harrowing vigil."
Krishnan Guru-Murthy comments: "This is the night that could change everything. It will determine the course of our lives on Brexit and everything else beyond. There will be shocks, upsets, tears and laughter and I can't wait to share the most exciting election night I can remember with this hugely impressive, funny and insightful gang of political obsessives and wits that Channel 4 have assembled. Let's hope results night is when it gets sensational and surprising"
Rylan Clark-Neal says: "I can't wait to get involved in what will no doubt be an unpredictable night where anything can happen. Who would have thought that as an X Factor reject I would be hosting election night!"
Channel 4 commissioner Louisa Compton says: "The Alternative Election will be distinctive, fresh and very entertaining. The combination of ITN Productions and Expectation means our coverage will offer up the perfect mix of two political heavyweights who've just walked out of front-line politics as well some great comedians and entertainers. Voters will be at the heart of the programme with audience reaction to all the key moments. I can't think of a more exciting - and eclectic - cast list."