Channel 4 has now parted company with all but one of its original seven strong line-up. Yesterday, it was reported on MediaGuardian that Mark Durden-Smith, a former Sky Sports reporter, was to depart although it is unclear if he left of his own free will or was axed.
It had been thought he would survive the shake-up that has left only entertainment reporter Edith Bowman as the sole presenting survivor. Early last month, Channel 4 axed three presenters, Liz Bonnin, Kirsty Gallacher and Chris Rogers.
Bowman will now team up with Lee, who is best known for presenting the satirical 'The 11 O'Clock Show', which was the launch pad for the Sacha Baron Cohen's character Ali G. The programme flourished for one season series with Ali G on board, but without him the second series flopped.
'The 11 O'Clock Show' also helped launch the TV careers of Daisy Donovan and Ricky Gervais. Since the show ended its run, Lee has been presenting on the BBC's entertainment news show 'Liquid News' on BBC Choice.
Channel 4 is understood to be serving up a more informal 'RI:SE' when it returns on January 20. Whether this will be more like the once successful 'The Big Breakfast' it replaced is unclear. 'RI:SE', which is co-produced by BSkyB and Princess Productions, has been a major disappointment to Channel 4 and has failed to pull in the 300,000 viewers that 'The Big Breakfast' was attracting at the end of its run.
The old 'RI:SE' broadcast its last show on December 20 and Channel 4 has since been showing a variety of entertainment programmes in the 7am to 9am slot.
When 'RI:SE' does return it will be broadcasting from new central London studios, having moved from BSkyB's headquarters in Osterley. It is hoped that the new location in Queensway in West London will help attract more guests.
Sebastian Scott, 'RI:SE' executive producer, said last month: "The show will return with a fresh look and feel. I'm very grateful to the team who have worked fantastically hard since launch. Currently all aspects of the show are under review and these changes will be honed off air for when we come back on January 20."
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