“She has found an inner strength, but still has an Achilles heel, in the shape of Rupert. She can’t shift it because that’s life,” says Waddingham.

From co-creators Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly and Bill Lawrence, the beloved fan favorite Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso is currently in its third season with AFC Richmond trying to find their rhythm again, as Rupert (Anthony Head) takes full advantage of the fact that “wonder kid” Nate (Nick Mohammed) is now on the side of rivals West Ham United. Although Ted (Sudeikis) would prefer to take the high road in his coaching, pressure to win coupled with some domestic issues back in America threaten the very delicate hold he has on his own anxiety.

During this 1-on-1 interview with Collider, Hannah Waddingham (who plays Rebecca Welton, the owner of AFC Richmond and Ted’s boss) talked about wanting to stay in denial about the possible end of the series, not being willing to even think about a spinoff, finding Rebecca’s inner strength while still also being aware of her Achilles heel, her introduction to Zava (Maximilian Osinski), and the Rebecca and Sam (Toheeb Jimoh) relationship.

Collider: With everyone continuing to ask whether this is the last season of Ted Lasso, how do you feel about that possibility? When the time comes, will it be harder to say goodbye to Rebecca than other characters that you’ve played?

HANNAH WADDINGHAM: Well, for a start, we don’t know if it’s officially the end. It’s certainly the end of this three-season arc. That’s what I’m clinging onto because I can’t cope with an end. I can’t cope with not seeing what happens to Rebecca in the final analysis, or any of them, for that matter. But the thing is, I will always have these people in my life, undoubtedly. If this is the end, then I say goodbye to Rebecca, and of all the people that I don’t want to say goodbye to, it’s her.

Collider: Even if it’s saying goodbye to Ted Lasso as we currently know it, I’m holding out hope that, in some way, it will evolve into something else.

WADDINGHAM: Should we be in rampant denial together?

Collider: I refuse to acknowledge that it could end.

WADDINGHAM: Yeah, and I’m going to refuse to acknowledge it with you.

Catch the full interview over at Collider

Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham will co-host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, alongside Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.

The presenting trio will front the two semi-finals on 9 and 11 May, with Graham Norton joining them for the grand final on Saturday, 13 May.

More than 160 million are expected to watch the competition globally.

The UK is hosting on behalf of 2022 winner Ukraine, which cannot stage the event due to Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Emmy-award winning actress Waddingham said it was “a great privilege” to be involved.

“It’s one of the world’s greatest music festivals,” the Game of Thrones and Sex Education actress added.

“But this year, perhaps more than ever, it is such a great honour to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, a country which has carried itself with such strength and unity.”

This year’s competition is being held in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine who won last year’s event. Britain’s Got Talent judge and singer Alesha Dixon said: “There is just something about the buzz and anticipation of a live show that can’t be rivalled. Eurovision delivers that excitement, creativity and talent, but on a vast, global scale”.

She joins Waddingham, an accomplished West End and Broadway actress, and Julia Sanina, frontwoman of Ukrainian alternative band The Hardkiss, who will appear on tonight’s The One Show.

“I’m so excited to showcase Ukrainian culture and creativity, and to help put on a show to make my country proud,” Sanina said. “I can’t wait to get to Liverpool and meet the fans and the rest of the Eurovision family.”

It is an all-female line-up for the knock out stages.

BBC