host

Olivia Attwood tipped to replace Maya Jama as Love Island host 10 years after show debut

Maya Jama has announced she’s quit Love Island after three years and a former contestant is a hot favourite to replace her

A former Love Island contestant is heavily tipped to become the next host of the ITV2 dating show as Maya Jama steps down as host after three years.

Olivia Attwood, who shot to fame in the third series back in 2017 and reached the final with ex Chris Hughes, is the 2-1 favourite with bookmaker Coral to replace Maya. Series five finalist Maura Higgins is 5-2 to replace, while Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope is priced at 3-1.

“As a former contestant, Olivia Attwood is very familiar with Love Island, and we make her the 2-1 favourite to replace Maya Jama,” said Coral’s John Hill.

“Maura Higgins and Vick Hope are likely to be in contention too, while if the show turns to a male presenter, Sam Thompson is the most likely to land the job, according to our odds.”

Maya, who recently appeared on Celebrity Traitors, shared her shock news on her Instagram page on Sunday (November 8) evening in a statement to her fans.

The Bristol-born beauty wrote: “What an incredible era and what an unforgettable time I’ve had, it’s been far too much fun to put into words or a video… but as all good things must come to an end, it’s my time to step down as the host of my beloved Love Island.

“Firstly, I want to thank all of the people who rooted so hard for me to host the show in the first place. I wouldn’t change a thing. To the fans of the show, thank you for every supportive message and every single time you’ve tuned in during my time as host, I’m forever grateful to you all. The show really does belong to the people who watch it and embrace it year after year.

“Biggest thanks to the incredible production team, I’ve seen firsthand how you work your asses off for months every year to bring this iconic show to life.”

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She continued: “I started hosting the show aged 28 and during the nine incredible series met the most wonderful humans along the way. I’ve loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show.

“I’ll forever be grateful for the experience. But I’ve always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then, and now is my time to throw myself into something new.

“While my own Love Island journey has come to an end, I wish the show and the team all the success in the world, I’ll be cheering you lot on from the sidelines forever.”

An ITV spokesperson said: “Maya has been a fantastic and much loved host on Love Island – we thank her for everything she has brought to the show over the last three years and wish her every continued success.”

Love Island is available to watch on ITVX

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Carson Daly named co-anchor of NBC’s ‘Saturday Today’

Carson Daly is adding a sixth day to his work week as NBC News named him co-anchor of “Saturday Today.”

The division announced Thursday that Daly will join co-anchor Laura Jarrett, feature anchor Joe Fryer and meteorologist Angie Lassman on the Saturday edition of its morning franchise starting this weekend. He succeeds Peter Alexander, who left “Saturday Today” in March to become a daytime anchor at MS NOW.

Daly, 53, will continue as features anchor of the weekday “Today” and his duties at the reality singing competition show “The Voice,” where he is host and an executive producer, roles he has held since 2011.

“My kids asked if I’ll still make pancakes,” Daly said in a statement. “I told them yes, but I’ll be making them for Laura, Joe and Angie instead. I’m equal parts grateful and excited for this opportunity.”

Daly joined “Today” in 2013 as host of the “Orange Room,” the show’s digital and social media hub. He has since become known for the program’s “Pop Start” segment, covering the latest in pop culture news.

Daly previously hosted NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly,” a late-night celebrity interview show that concluded in 2019 after 18 seasons.

From 1998 to 2008, Daly served as executive producer and host for MTV’s “Total Request Live,” a popular music video countdown that became a must-stop destination for musical artists including Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Christina Aguilera.

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A Place In The Sun host red-faced as guest refuses to view house over instant issue

A Place In The Sun returned to screens with Ben Hillman back at the helm, but the search for Jacqueline’s dream home on the Greek island of Lefkada took an unexpected turn

A Place In The Sun took an uncomfortable twist when a prospective buyer chose to abandon the viewing after being presented with a particular property.

The popular Channel 4 programme returned on Tuesday (November 3) with Ben Hillman once again presenting. Searching for her ideal residence on the Greek island of Lefkada was Jacqueline, from Shropshire.

She was accompanied by sister-in-law Linda for the hunt and had a maximum budget of £302k for her perfect overseas home: a 2-3 bedroom property with a luxurious pool and scenic views. The hunt didn’t begin particularly well, but when it came to property number four, matters took an unforeseen direction.

The fourth property – which featured three bedrooms and two bathrooms – was merely 60 seconds from a beach. Yet immediately, Jacqueline highlighted how it was “a bit close to the road”. Ben agreed: “It’s a busy road, but think how quickly you could be to different places.”, reports the Express.

Linda then said: “It’s very pretty to look at. It’s an attractive-looking house.” However, Jacqueline added: “That traffic is quite noisy.” Ben asked: “Alright, then hit me with it. What do you want to do? Do you want to move on or investigate further?”.

But for Jacqueline she had witnessed sufficient and replied: “No, I think I’ll give this one a miss. The garden is small but it’s the noise of the traffic, I couldn’t get used to that. Definitely not.”

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Ben added: “It’s too much for you,” in which Jacqueline agreed: “Yeah.” In a voice-over, Ben admitted: “I am a bit disappointed that this beachside house isn’t right for my house hunters.”

Fans at home also reacted to the fourth property, with some slamming Ben for showing them a property so close to a busy road. On X, one person wrote: “What’s the point of showing them a house right next to such a busy junction. Very few people would settle for that noise.”

Someone else quipped: “Speak up Ben we can’t hear you for the traffic.” A third chimed in: “The noise from the road would drive me crazy.”

Another also said: “Instant nope, that is a super busy and loud road about 2ft from your house, there’s also barely any outside space and would you want to be outside with that road noise? Nah no ta.”

A Place In The Sun airs Monday to Friday at 6pm on Channel 4.

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Strictly Come Dancing star braced to quit show as host makes jaw-dropping reveal

EXCLUSIVE Strictly judge Anton Du Beke says a big name is ready to leave the hit BBC One Dance show saying, ‘It’s getting a bit much.’

Anton Du Beke has shocked Strictly Come Dancing fans by revealing a big name star is looking to waltz away from the BBC series for good.

The former pro dancer who is now an established judge on the series, revealed that one famous face on the show has already spoken to him about potentially leaving at the end of the 2026 series. His comments, as he promoted his new memoir Steps In Time, are sure to start a guessing game amongst fans.

Speaking on stage in Bath, Anton, 60, said: “I spoke to somebody the other day and they were like ‘It’s getting a bit much’.

“It’s somebody who’s been on it not that long, a little while, and I understood that. I thought about it for a while and I wondered if they will be on it or whether they will decide to step away or carry on.”

The comments could refer to a number of the new pro dancers or the new show hosts, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who only joined this year.

There have also been reports than judge Shirley Ballas may consider walking away from the UK version of the show if she landed a full time role on US series Dancing With The Stars. She was recently a guest judge on the series but insisted in an interview last month she was “100 percent not leaving Strictly”.

Anton is not seemingly referring fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, as the pair still love being on the show and are veterans having been on the series since it began in 2004. On his love for Strictly, Anton said: “I was there from Day One. Craig and I, we are the only ones left. I am so proud of that. It is one of my greatest things.

“I am so proud to have been on the show since the beginning and still loving it as well. I love it as much now as I always have. It is the most brilliant show. I love being a judge. I loved being a professional.

Referring to the late great former host Bruce Forsyth, he added: “I loved working with Brucie. He was my hero growing up. Brucie would come out and do his own warm up and I used to stand in the wings and watch him before the show began. I watched him every week for about 15 years. He was a genius.”

Anton was speaking at the Bath Forum to promote his book Steps In Time, his first memoir. The book, which is released tomorrow, is described by publishers as a “coming-of-age story” which reflects on Anton’s youth, and his rise as a pro dancer before then joining Strictly and becoming a TV star.

He left school as a teenager with no qualifications and took on a variety of jobs to pay for dance classes. after competing as a pro he then hit the bigtime when he landed a spot on Strictly. Once there he danced with celebrities including Kate Garraway, Ruth Langsford, Jerry Hall, Judy Murray and the late Ann Widdecombe.

* Steps In Time by Anton Du Beke is out on November 5 from Blink Publishing.

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Bradley Walsh’s Million Pound Shot divides viewers as host unveils major twist

The Chase host Bradley Walsh returned to screens with a brand-new show on Sunday

Channel 4 viewers were left divided as they watched Bradley Walsh‘s new show.

The pilot for the host’s new show, Bradley Walsh’s Million Pount Shot, aired on Sunday night (November 1). During the episode, three contestants stepped up in front of a live studio audience for the chance to win up to £1 million.

However, the contestants had to put their own money on the line for the chance to win the jackpot. This is something that no previous UK quiz show has done before.

The contestants brought their own bank cards and bet money, depending on how confident they were in answering general knowledge questions. Correct answers won bet balls that carried monetary value, which players could either cash out or risk by firing them into the Million Pound Shot machine in an attempt to win £1 million.

Viewers were introduced to Helen, Reece, and Mark, who had chosen to risk £1,500, £1,700 and £1,000 of their own money, respectively. As Reece later found himself £6,000 down, an angry audience member was heard shouting: “The concept of this is disgusting.”

The footage cut out, before Bradley returned to the studio to explain: “What you’ve just witnessed wasn’t all that it seemed. The whole thing was a performance… Everything you’ve seen tonight draws on the techniques used by the gambling industry to manipulate its customers.”

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The character of Reece was inspired by a real man called Patrick, who later shared his story. Bradley issued a warning to viewers, saying: “I should warn you that what we’re about to explore may be difficult and upsetting for some viewers. Because, like any addiction, gambling can cause serious harm.”

The programme quickly left viewers divided. “The most obvious fake show I’ve ever seen,” one person wrote on X. Another added: “This makes zero sense at all.” A third said: “How absolutely ridiculous.” Someone else commented: “Bradley Walsh and Channel 4 presenting an anti-gambling stunt is prob the strangest TV ep I’ve ever seen.”

Meanwhile, other viewers praised the show for raising awareness of gambling. “Well played C4. A subject that needs airtime,” someone wrote.

Another added: “#MillionPoundShot had me frighteningly uncomfortable with the idea of a national broadcaster normalising people gambling/losing huge, unaffordable, life-changing money. It seemed so stupidly irresponsible. Thank god for that twist. A hugely important message.” A third said: “Kudos to Brad and those involved for highlighting the seriousness of gambling advertising and addiction.”

Sharing his thoughts on the programme, Bradley previously said: “This programme is unlike anything we’ve seen on British TV before. And when I heard about this format, I thought it was one of the most original and surprising quiz shows I’d ever encountered. Alongside playing with their own money, there are more twists and turns along the way. I’m excited for everyone to see how it plays out.”

Bradley Walsh’s Million Pound Shot is available to stream on Channel 4

The National Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential help for anyone who is worried about their gambling, or someone else’s gambling

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ITV gameshow contestant will win £1m tonight as host admits ‘it’s overwhelming’ 

ITV’s Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins shared their thoughts on the final episode of Win Win with Postcode Lottery

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins give one player £1 million on ITV’s Win Win with Postcode Lottery.

The wait is finally over. ITV viewers will soon discover which contestant will walk away a staggering millionaire and a range of incredible prizes, as the last episode of Win Win with Postcode Lottery airs tonight (October 31).

Each week, the contestants who have won their round have been given a choice: take home the prize they’ve won or take a seat on Millionaire’s Row for a chance to win the huge jackpot and all the prizes throughout the competition.

Ahead of the series finale, presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins gave their thoughts on how they’re feeling ahead of discovering the winner. As Mel confessed it’s a mixture of “sweat, adrenaline and excitement”, Sue emphasised how much is at stake for the players.

Mel commented: “One of those people will win that; it’s mind-blowing. Remembering back to the final of last series, the atmosphere was very tense.” At the same time, Sue added: “Yeah, much quieter. People are serious about it.

“And I think people then think about their choices. Should I have traded? Should I have taken the prize? It gets to the really sharp end of the business. It’s just overwhelming when somebody wins because you’re not only winning the cash, you’re winning all those holidays.

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“Enough holidays to last you a lifetime, really. We’ll be coming on most of them. I don’t think people got the T’s and C’s that we were coming on, did they? They should have done; we’ll be there.

Last year, ITV viewers saw Sienna McSwiggan take home the huge jackpot. She also won two cars, two luxury holidays, a trip to Australia to see The Ashes and tickets to see Take That in concert.

At the time, she only had £1 in her bank account before receiving the life-changing money. Sharing a video on TikTok at the time, telling her mum she’d become a millionaire, Sienna said: “Telling my mum who has gone through so much that I’ve won a million pounds on a TV show is the best feeling in the entire world.”

Speaking about the previous winner, Mel said: “We caught up with her this year, and good news, she is super steady, sensible, doing all the right things. So, it was a great night actually.” Sue added: “You do worry a bit. You think this is going to just spin them out of orbit, but she’s a smart one, and she’s just really enjoying the money.”

The final of Win Win with Postcode Lottery is available to watch on ITV1 on Saturday, October 31 at 7.30pm

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Moscow to host 2030 World Weightlifting Championships

Moscow will host the 2030 World Weightlifting Championships – the first time an Olympic federation has chosen to stage a global event in Russia since the country’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced its decision on Sunday, four months after confirming Russian athletes would again be eligible to compete in its events.

In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted a suspension on the Russian Olympic Committee.

That suspension had been imposed following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The IOC’s subsequent decision potentially opened the way for Russian athletes to compete for their country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The IWF announced the host cities of four world championships at junior, youth and senior levels, awarding the 2029 senior event to Ahmedabad in India.

“All the bids we received were excellent and we are sure that the championships in your respective countries will be a huge success,” said IWF general secretary Jose Quinones.

No world championships in an Olympic sport, summer or winter, have been held in Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships, initially awarded to the Russian city of Kazan, were instead moved to Singapore.

Moscow has not held the World Weightlifting Championships since 1983.

The Russian Weightlifting Federation said: “[We are] the first Olympic sports federation to succeed in bringing a top-level official competition back to the country in many years.”

Federation president Aleksandr Vinokurov thanked the IWF in a post on Telegram “for their trust”, with the championships also serving as a qualifying event for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia.

“Russia has all the necessary experience and capabilities to host competitions of the highest level,” he said.

“Moscow has repeatedly staged major international sporting events and has modern infrastructure.”

In announcing its decision in July to provisionally lift Russia’s suspension, the IOC said that no decision had been taken on whether Russia could display their flag, colours and anthem at the Olympic ‌Games.

The IOC said it would continue to “not organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events”.

Some Russian athletes competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan as neutrals.

Ukraine filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) requesting that the IOC decision to lift its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee be annulled.

The IOC’s move decision came after the International Paralympic Committee had already ended Russia’s exile from global sports events, with the country’s athletes allowed to compete under their national flag at the Winter Paralympics.

Five Ukrainian athletes are listed to compete in the 2026 IWF World Championships in Ningbo, China, which are scheduled to take place from 27 October to 8 November.

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Strictly fans demand host is ‘dropped’ from results show – not Josh Widdicombe

BBC viewers have demanded Strictly to drop one popular host from Sunday night’s live show. It comes as Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

Strictly fans are calling for one host to be removed from the results show – and it’s not who you’d expect. Although BBC Strictly viewers have been making the same comments about Josh Widdicombe remarks, he’s not actually under the firing line this time.

The 43-year-old joined Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe in a shake-up to replace long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year. Now despite a wave of complaints since the opening show, Josh has proved why he’s worthy of a spot in the ballroom. Now over on social media, many fans reckon another host should step down for Sunday night’s results show.

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Posting on Reddit, one person began: “Disclaimer: I love Emma Willis. She’s my secret girl crush. But she’s becoming over saturated. She reminds me of Holly Willoughby. The face of every prime show, followed by Alison Hammond.

“Emma is fronting Strictly and The Voice. Two prime time TV shows. I tuned into a show last night. Was celebs cooking, hosted with Emma and Tom Allen. She’s obviously very good at her job. But aren’t their any other presenters?”

The person continued: “I was thinking of the Strictly results show they could even drop Emma? Bruce Forsyth didn’t do the results show. Correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t want to get Emma fatigue.”

Although Bruce quit the Sunday results show in 2010, he did continue the Saturday night competition until stepping down four years later. The TV legend sadly passed away at the age of 89 on August 18, 2017.

Since the Strictly fan shared their opinion, many people rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts too. One said: “Yeah I think so too.” While another added: “She’s the only presenter on the show.”

Others said it “depends on your viewing habits”.

Now after week 5’s live show, many people are warming up to the trio of hosts. Over on X, one said: “John Widdecombe and Emma Willis have fully settled into #strictly now, this is such an enjoyable watch. The funny bits aren’t awkward anymore. Tess who?”

While another added: “I’m so loving Emma, she is just right at home. Perfect.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s results show airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7:10pm tonight (October 25).

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Noah Adams dead: Former ‘All Things Considered’ host was 84

Noah Adams, a longtime host of NPR news program “All Things Considered” and a journalist known for his gentle voice and genuine curiosity, has died. He was 84.

Adams died Oct. 16 at his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, according to NPR. The cause was complications of a benign brain tumor removed eight years ago, his wife and longtime NPR news producer Neenah Ellis told the New York Times.

A host of the weekday edition of “All Things Considered” for 18 years, Adams helped cover major news events and produced segments from his travels around the country, talking to everyday people, often in small rural towns.

“He never liked talking to people who he knew had preprogrammed things to say,” Melissa Block, a former “All Things Considered” host who’d previously worked as a producer for Adams, said in NPR’s segment announcing his death. “He wanted people who were genuinely speaking from their heart and with conviction and sincerity.”

Born on Sept. 15, 1942, in Ashland, Ky., Adams joined NPR in the mid-1970s after working various jobs including as a DJ and in construction in and around his hometown. A college dropout, Adams was inspired to start working in public radio after encountering “All Things Considered” as a listener.

He was introduced to the program by a colleague shortly after it debuted in 1971. He told The Times in 2002 that he remembered thinking, “That sounds conversational, that they intend for me to be listening, that I’m smart enough to be listening,” when he first heard the show.

After working at the University of Kentucky’s public radio station, he applied for a job at NPR. He was hired as a production assistant on “All Things Considered” in 1975 before becoming a weekend co-host for the show in 1978. He moved to the weekday show in 1982.

Susan Stamberg, Adams’ “All Things Considered” co-host from 1982 to 1987 who died last year, described him as “the most genuine, uncontrived voice in broadcasting” in the foreword of his 1992 book about his work on the program.

“The conviction shines through the words he writes, and the quiet and very powerful way in which he speaks,” she wrote, according to Current. “He is a quiet, careful man, a craftsman in his work, his seriousness softened by a twinkle in his eye, an occasional goofy grin, and the daffodils he’ll bring into the studio on an especially tense or stuffy day.”

Adams mentioned the camaraderie with his colleagues and one-on-one interviews as among the things he would miss when he left his job as host of “All Things Considered” for a second and final time in 2002.

These interviews, which often turned into “a conversation that’s so quiet and so slow,” were the “kind of conversation [that] cannot be accomplished on anything but radio,” he told The Times.

Among Adams’ signature audio work is the 1981 radio documentary “Father Cares: The Last of Jonestown,” as well as a series of interviews with Tom DeBaggio, a man living with Alzheimer’s disease, and an interview with Betsy Walter, an 8-year-old girl whose parents had gotten divorced. Adams wrote a number of books, including “Piano Lessons: Music, Love, and True Adventures,” which chronicled Adams’ quest to learn how to play the piano in his 50s, and “The Flyers: In Search of Wilbur and Orville Wright.”

“He has a writer’s eye, and I think you hear that when he’s on the air,” Robert Siegel, Adams’ “All Things Considered” co-host, said in 2002. “And he takes sound very seriously. When you combine writing with sound, you can create extraordinary radio.”

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GMB shares Strictly Come Dancing baby news as host says ‘congratulations’ 

Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh were quick to congratulate one Strictly star who shared some exciting baby news this week.

Strictly’s Will Best has become a dad for the first time.

On Friday’s instalment of Good Morning Britain, Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh were speaking about the latest showbiz news with Rishi Davda. During the round-up, which included a discussion about the most recent star banished on Celebrity Traitors, they touched on the news of Will Best becoming a dad.

Rishi told the ITV stars: “There’s the pitter-patter of brand new little dancing feet in the Strictly family. Big Brother host Will Best has announced he’s become a dad for the first time, welcoming a baby boy with his fiancée, Tobi Rose.

“The couple have named their little bundle of joy Sonny. Will shared some adorable snaps from the hospital, saying they’re feeling ‘very lucky’ and, of course, very tired. With Strictly’s Icons Week coming up tomorrow night, Will’s got a very little special supporter cheering him on from home.”

The programme then played a clip from Will’s socials where he was seen holding his newborn in the hospital. He told his followers he had got a “cool new thing today”, and he gave a glimpse at his newly born son.

When the clip ended, Ranvir called it “so lovely” as Rishi highlighted how small the baby was. Ranvir added, “You know what’s funny, though? Will Best will go, ‘Gosh, you know what love, I’m so tired’. She’ll be like, ‘Err, I’ve just given birth to a baby?’. You know what I mean?”

As Kate suggested, Will could get out of the night feeds, Ranvir stated he wouldn’t want to, as she added: “Congratulations, Will and Tobi”.

Will took to Instagram to announce the news himself on October 15 as he shared a selection of adorable images introducing Sonny to the world.

He captioned the post: “Well, who do we have here then?! Welcome to the world, Sonny Best, you little smasher. @tobiroseofficial, you’re a miracle, and I love you so much. A couple of tired new parents (see last slide), but oh my goodness, aren’t we lucky xxx”

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It wasn’t long before people commented on the announcement, with one person saying: “Oh Will! He’s perfect! Huge huge congrats to you and Tobi!” Another wrote: “Huge congrats to you both!! Welcome to the world, Sonny!”

Currently, Will is one of the 13 remaining celebrities taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. He’s been matched with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, with the pair expected to perform an Elton John-inspired routine on Saturday night for Icons Week.

Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am. Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday October 17 on BBC One from 6:15pm.

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Atlanta Dream will host WNBA Finals Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena

The Atlanta Dream will host Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries in the building they will call home starting next season, not the one where they played most of their home games this year.

That’s good because State Farm Arena — home of the NBA’s Hawks and soon-to-be the fulltime home of the Dream — can seat around 17,000 people, while Gateway Center Arena — the WNBA franchise’s home facility since 2021 — can only hold 3,500 fans.

“This is what the players and the fans deserve,” Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener said in a statement. “We are grateful to all of the stakeholders who worked together to resolve the conflicts and make this happen.”

Things were looking pretty iffy for a while.

Game 3 will be played Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. PDT. The game was originally supposed to be played the following day, but a Sombr concert is taking place at the arena on that date.

Game 4 will take place Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. PDT. While that date wasn’t changed, the game was originally slated to start 2 1/2 hours later. The Hawks also pushed back the time of their home opener that evening by a half-hour to 5:30 p.m. PDT to help accommodate the WNBA game.

“The change of venue dramatically expands the seating capacity and ensures that the Dream will be able to provide an extraordinary atmosphere for the first WNBA Finals game to be played in the Atlanta market since 2013,” league commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “We are pleased that thousands more fans across the Southeast region will have the opportunity to experience the ultimate WNBA action — the WNBA Finals — in person.”

The Dream played six regular-season games and all three home playoff games this season at State Farm Arena. Efforts to hold the Dream’s home Finals games at such area venues as Gas South Arena (around 13,000 seats) and Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion (8,600 seats), didn’t work out, according to USA Today.

There has been no word on the venue for a possible Game 6 of the best-of-seven series, which the Dream are currently scheduled to host on Oct. 29, the same date as another Hawks home game.

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Atlanta Dream will host at least two WNBA Finals games. But where?

The Atlanta Dream made it to the WNBA Finals, which is obviously a good thing.

In fact, it’s so good that many fans will surely want to come out and support the team when it hosts Games 3 and 4, plus Game 6 if needed, against the Golden State Valkyries.

And that could be a problem. Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Ga., where the team has played most of its home games since 2021, seats only 3,500 people for basketball games.

The Dream played six regular-season games and all three home playoff games this season at the Atlanta Hawks’ State Farm Arena, which holds around 17,000 and will be the Dream’s official home venue starting next season. But that facility is booked for all three dates the team would need it, with a Sombr concert slated for Oct. 22 and Hawks regular-season games on Oct. 24 and 29.

So, what’s a franchise playing in its first WNBA Finals since 2013 to do?

It’s not a rhetorical question. The team hasn’t announced where their home games in the series will be played, and tickets for the
games in Atlanta have yet to go on sale.

Last week, Dream president Morgan Shaw Parker said they were “finalizing details” on where the team’s home games will be played during the Finals. Efforts to move the games to larger area venues, such as Gas South Arena (around 13,000 seats) and Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion (8,600 seats), have hit snags, according to USA Today.

The Dream did not immediately respond Monday to questions from The Times. The WNBA referred questions back to the Dream.

The Valkyries play their home games at Chase Center in San Francisco, which seats around 18,000 people. A Doja Cat concert originally scheduled for Oct. 19 was rescheduled to Oct. 25 to avoid conflict with Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

If the Dream can’t relocate the games, this wouldn’t be the first time WNBA Finals were held in a small venue: In 2019, the Washington Mystics hosted three games at their home venue (known now as CareFirst Arena), which seats about 4,200 people.

Led by Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, former UCLA star Jordin Canada and 2026 defensive player of the year Angel Reese, fourth-seeded Atlanta swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs, dismissing No. 5 Washington and No. 8 New York.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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