Sian Welby, a prominent TV and radio presenter, recently recounted a harrowing experience where she “almost died” performing the risky Chubby Bunny marshmallow challenge alongside actor Timothée Chalamet. The incident took place during an interview in 2023, when Welby met Chalamet and his co-star Calah Lane while they were promoting their movie Wonka.
The “Timothée Chalamet marshmallow challenge” involves participants stuffing an increasing number of marshmallows into their mouths while attempting to say the phrase “Chubby Bunny.” This game has led to several fatal choking accidents, making it widely regarded as hazardous.
The Risk Behind the Marshmallow Challenge Revealed
Welby admitted she was unaware of the challenge’s dangers before trying it. Recalling the moment on her podcast, The Capital Breakfast: After The Show, Show!, she said,
“Well, I told you I nearly died in front of Timothée Chalamet that time because I had too many marshmallows in my mouth.”
She described how she was putting marshmallows in her mouth while challenging Timothée and Calah to guess what she was saying, unaware the act could be deadly.
“That’s dangerous you know. I’m going to say this now, I’m looking down the camera in case anyone’s watching this live, never play the game,”
Welby warned emphatically.
Her co-hosts Jordan North and Chris Star joined in agreement, saying the idea “terrified” them. Welby further expressed her shock, noting,
“You know the worst thing about this was that I didn’t know how deadly it was until I did nearly choke. And then afterwards I saw news articles about people that had died doing the challenge.”
Welby’s Continued Interest in Reuniting with Timothée Chalamet
Despite the frightening experience, Welby expressed a desire to reunite with Timothée Chalamet on her radio show. She said she wanted to check if the actor was still as “haunted” by the event as she was, suggesting the marshmallow challenge left a lasting impression on both of them.
Sian Welby’s Rising Profile and Potential Role on Strictly Come Dancing
Alongside this revelation, it has been reported that Sian Welby is in consideration to become one of the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing. Since Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly departed the BBC show last year, producers are eyeing potential replacements.
According to sources, Welby is viewed as a good fit for the “Clauditorium” segment, where contestants receive their scores from judges. A source told The Sun,
“Sian might be less well-known than other names linked with Tess and Claudia’s jobs so far. But she’s got everything it takes with one special ingredient — a younger audience, thanks to her job on trendy Capital FM.”
Her experience hosting Capital FM’s breakfast show and frequent guest appearances on This Morning have demonstrated her quick wit and ability to engage live audiences, qualities deemed essential for the role. The source added,
“Her live radio experience means she’s got that off-the-cuff banter that is needed in the Clauditorium down to a tee. And working on This Morning ticks all the TV boxes.”
Competition and Speculation Surrounding Strictly’s New Hosts
The race for the hosting spots on Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly a competitive battle. Alongside Sian Welby, broadcasters Emma Willis and Zoe Ball are strong contenders. Emma Willis recently succeeded Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2’s afternoon show, while Zoe has publicly expressed enthusiasm for taking on the Strictly hosting role, which she previously engaged with as presenter of the show’s spin-off, It Takes Two.
A source shared with The Sun on Sunday,
“It’s a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma. Only one will get it, not both.”
The same insider stated the senior executives desire a combination of a traditional presenter with a more unconventional figure, preferably a female stand-up comedian, to maintain the spirit Claudia Winkleman brought to the show, especially in her iconic “Claudatorium.”
The Daily Mail reached out for comments from Emma Willis and Zoe Ball’s representatives but did not receive immediate responses.
Profiles of Other Candidates and Context for the Role
Emma Willis, known for hosting popular shows such as The Voice and Love Is Blind UK alongside her husband Matt Willis, has a strong television presence. Zoe Ball’s prior radio show exit and eagerness to rejoin the Strictly family heighten speculation about her chances.
This shift in presenting duties follows the BBC’s ongoing efforts to refresh the show’s presentation style after the departure of longstanding hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly in 2023.
Significance of the Incident and Outlook for Future Appearances
Sian Welby’s near-fatal experience with the Timothée Chalamet marshmallow challenge shines a light on the hidden dangers of seemingly harmless games. Her candid warning serves as a solemn reminder to audiences about the risks involved. Meanwhile, Welby’s expanding profile in British television and radio suggests she is poised for greater opportunities, including a potential high-profile role on Strictly Come Dancing.
Should Welby join the show, her youthful appeal and sharp on-air skills may attract new viewers and help maintain the lively atmosphere the program is known for. Her wish to reconnect with Timothée Chalamet also hints at continued engaging moments on her radio platform, potentially blending entertainment with cautionary insights.
