Alex Brooker: ‘I had a 9-day contract with Channel 4 – it’s a privilege to host The Last Leg for 12 years’

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of The Last Leg, I find myself utterly enchanted by the journey of its remarkable hosts – Adam Hills, Alex Brooker, and Josh Widdicombe. Their story is a testament to the power of serendipity, as they initially embarked on this adventure alongside the 2012 Paralympic Games, with no inkling that their bond would blossom into something so enduring and impactful.


Adam Hills, Alex Brooker, and Josh Widdicombe will be leading audiences to Paris every evening throughout the 2024 Paralympic Games, serving as hosts for The Last Leg.

Ever since its debut in 2012, I’ve been proud to be a part of The Last Leg. Over the years, we’ve offered our perspective on key moments throughout the week, but this year, we’re taking it up a notch! We’ll be broadcasting live from Paris during the Games, bringing you our fresh take on each day’s events, complete with our signature humor.

To begin with, The Last Leg first aired concurrently during the 2012 Paralympic Games. Originally, Brooker and Widdicombe were intended as guests, but everything shifted when one of the show’s commissioning editors took a liking to the three of them and decided to retain the familiar format that viewers have come to appreciate.

“So, from that point on, it was Josh, Alex and Adam all together doing The Last Leg.”

In an exclusive interview prior to a live broadcast from Paris, Brooker shared that he initially agreed to a nine-day deal with Channel 4, never anticipating he’d still be working on the show after 12 years.

“He mentioned that his engagement with Channel 4 for the Paralympic Games lasted for nine days, and that was the extent of their relationship,” he clarified.

1. “I considered returning to the Press Association as a journalist, yet here I am, still hosting this show after 12 years, covering the Paralympics once more, and having produced so many shows – I feel incredibly fortunate for these experiences.”

As I filmed in Paris during the Paralympics, I couldn’t help but feel that this was not just an opportunity, but the most meaningful and fulfilling task I could undertake.

He elaborated: “I love doing the regular shows [but] more often than not we have to talk about some negative stuff, whether it be governments or stuff like budgets and cost of living and things like that.

At times, you might need to make an effort to present things in a cheerful or amusing manner to keep people entertained during a Friday evening.

“This event is purely festive. It’s a festival of sports, a festival of overcoming disabilities, and I find it incredibly uplifting. In my opinion, the entire spectacle is simply fantastic.”

Widdicombe agreed with Brooker’s viewpoint, stating that by following this particular format for The Last Leg, the three of them have an opportunity to contemplate their shared journey.

Life seems to unfold in cycles of about four years, much like the careers of Olympians, Paralympians, and professional footballers who compete internationally.

Your statement brings back memories, as it echoes the contrast between our lives then and now, particularly in 2012. And yes, that sense of progress feels quite wonderful.

The Last Leg is available to watch on Channel 4.

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2024-09-02 17:33