Bill Bailey has revealed that he was offered the chance to host Celebrity Traitors.
The popular BBC series is hosted by former Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman, who also hosts the original version of the UK show, featuring members of the public.
Bailey, 61, said he turned down the opportunity due to a packed schedule, which also led him to decline other projects, including Amazon Prime's Last One Laughing UK.
The comedian made the comments during an appearance on Australia's Today programme.
Bill Bailey turned down Celebrity Traitors hosting gig
Bill said: "Last One Laughing, the recording, I was actually away, filming a travel documentary.
"Fun fact maybe, a little scoop for you – I was actually offered the role of hosting The Traitors, Celebrity Traitors.
"And again, I couldn't take the role because I was doing something else."
Despite missing out on the high-profile presenting gig, Bailey’s schedule shows no signs of slowing down.
He was recently announced as the host of Ingenious, a new competition series airing on Channel 4.
The programme will see contestants take on a series of creative challenges over four episodes, all in the hope of being crowned Britain’s best home inventor.
5 iconic moments from series 1 of Celebrity Traitors
Channel 4 described it as a showcase for "practical-minded inventors" building "clever contraptions designed to solve everyday problems that make life better."
Bill said in a statement: "I’m thrilled to be hosting Ingenious, a brand-new show that celebrates Britain’s shed-born brilliance, in a collision between practical problem-solving and creative innovation.
"Watching these inventors solve everyday frustrations with clever contraptions is exactly my kind of fun."
The series will be set in a "large, light industrial space reflecting industrial history, providing the backdrop for ambitious builds and bold ideas".
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Clemency Green, senior commissioning editor at Channel 4, said: "We are delighted to commission this warm, entertaining competition format from Curve Wales.
"With the brilliant Bill Bailey leading proceedings, Ingenious celebrates the people who can fix, build and improve just about anything, and the distinctive British ingenuity that finds practical answers to everyday challenges."
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Camilla Lewis, CEO and executive producer at Curve Media, also praised Bailey as the perfect host.
She said: "Britain has always been a Nation of Inventors and it's fantastic to be able to celebrate amazing homegrown ingenuity - who could be better than Bill Bailey to be the ringmaster!
"Thank you Channel 4 – what a joyous commission to make."
Do you watch The Traitors and/or Celebrity Traitors? Tell us your favourite moments in the comments below.
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