Ted Lasso favourite reveals why they initially turned DOWN the role that made them a worldwide star
TED Lasso actor Nick Mohammed has revealed he initially turned down the role that made him a worldwide star.
The comedian was nominated for two Emmys for his role as troubled football coach Nate in the hit sitcom.
But he had to be persuaded to take the role by the show’s producers – including Hollywood star Jason Sudeikis – because he feared Nate would be too similar to a previous role.
Before Ted, he was best known as a bumbling computer nerd in Sky’s spy comedy Intelligence.
Nick, who is currently appearing on Channel 4’s Taskmaster, said: “When they offered the role I was in the thick of a show about an eccentric American where I play the subordinate who’s kind of infatuated by him, and I remember questioning do I want to do two shows like that?
“So I said no, which is kind of bonkers.
“I’d only seen the pilot script of Ted Lasso at that point and didn’t know what the rest of the show might have in store.
“But then they called and said, ‘Look, this is where the character’s going to go’ and I realised it was definitely something I wanted to be involved in.
“But it could easily not have happened.”
Nick, who made his name as a stand-up, says that he had never even been to America on holiday when he was flown over for the Emmys.
He added: “I’m still a bit rabbit in the headlights about the whole thing.
“Every day people will stop me in the street to talk about it. So much that I’m doing now wouldn’t have happened were it not for Ted.”
The actor, who has become a fan favourite on Taskmaster after choosing a wacky Dracula costume to film his tasks, also hinted that Ted Lasso could make a comeback despite series three apparently being the last ever.
He said: “I’m writing lots of stuff that will hopefully be picked up at some point. And who knows if there will be more Ted Lasso?”
SHERLOCK actor and co-creator Mark Gatiss will star in his own, self-written drama about a crime-solving bookshop owner.
Six-parter Bookish, set in post-war London, sees him crack cases with the help of the thousands of books in his store.
It will air on UKTV’s Alibi.
RELIEF IN LAUGHS FOR RICH
DESPITE being stalked for years, Richard Gadd is reliving his past in a new Netflix series Baby Reindeer.
But that doesn’t he mean didn’t find some laughs while filming.
The comic is joined on screen by The Outlaws star Jess Gunning as his stalker, Nava Mau as his love interest and Homebounds’ Tom Goodman-Hill as his abuser.
He said: “There were a few funny moments in there, with us cracking up.”
Co-star Nava added: “I remember us laughing so much in between intense scenes, laughing between takes – and that held us all together.”
Richard said: “I got great catharsis from exploring these traumatic things – but let’s see how much comfort I get from broadcasting it to 260million people.”
A TRAIT NIGHT OUT
THE Traitors ladies swapped the castle for cocktails during a glam night out.
Host Claudia Winkleman posed with three of the BBC murder mystery game show crew at a posh London party.
And after revealing she was forced to use gravy granules for fake tan while filming the show in Scotland, the presenter thankfully had beauty brand No7 to rely on.
She was celebrating one year of No7’s Future Renew range with Traitors pals Jasmine Boatswain, Diane Carson and Mollie Pearce at skyscraper The Gherkin.
Claudia said: “I’m so excited to be partnering with No7 again to celebrate the first anniversary of the incredible Future Renew range.
“It really is a game-changer when it comes to skincare.
“The evening has been filled with chatting all things skincare and some of our skincare regrets.”
“I’m sure those gravy grains will have come up.
OH LORD, WE GOT CLAUDE
AS The Apprentice hits the interviews stage tomorrow night, Claude Littner is back – and he already has the final five candidates shaking in their boots.
A long-time trusted adviser to Lord Sugar, he took a step back from the BBC One show after suffering medical issues and was replaced by Tim Campbell.
Contestant Rachel Woolford said: “I’m most afraid of Claude – he’s known to find every last detail about you and your business, so I’m ready to be torn apart by him.”
Fellow wannabe and garage music star Tre Lowe said: “Claude is a beast when telling it like it is.
“You can be confident before you sit with him, and emerge a shivering wreck!
“I know he will rip me apart – my business plan and my history.”
MONEY Saving Expert Martin Lewis will host an episode of BBC comedy quiz Have I Got News For You on April 26.
He said of the series captains: “I can’t pretend there isn’t a tinge of terror at the thought of trying to keep Paul and Ian in line.
“I may have to threaten to destroy their credit scores.”
GAGA NO GLOW UP SHOW UP
IT’S the biggest year yet for BBC Three make-up contest Glow Up, featuring collaborations with hospital drama Casualty, gaming platform Roblox and West End musical Six.
But it clearly wasn’t enough to get Lady Gaga on set.
The singer’s make-up brand Haus Labs inspired the wannabe artists’ first challenge – to create a social media-ready look to wow her.
But as host Leomie Anderson made the big reveal – and the gang prepared to welcome Gaga to the judging room – the singer instead appeared by voice message.
Judge and beauty expert Val Garland fumed: “It was great she sent a message but I would have liked to have seen her there. For f***’s sake, I used to do her make-up!”
It’s a Bad Romance, Val.