I Vote for Noel Fielding!!

From the Guardian's Organ Grinder Blog:

"Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Who should replace Bill Bailey as team captain?"


"Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Bill Bailey, right, is leaving - while Phill Jupitus, left, and Simon Amstell remain. Photograph: BBC"

So, Bill Bailey is leaving Never Mind the Buzzcocks after 11 series. The show weathered the departure of original host Mark Lamarr - and has been rejuvenated by the addition of Simon Amstell, whose youth made his barbed banter seem waspish rather than curmudgeonly.

Unfalteringly funny on the show, Bailey's avuncular air, combined with his anarchic sense of humour, seemed to endear him to the younger pop stars and comedians sat alongside him. Among Bailey's highlights was this monstering of Donny Tourette - hardly an achievement in itself but well worth reliving.

The stand-in team captains for the forthcoming series are largely predictable - seasoned comics Frank Skinner, Dermot O'Leary, Jack Dee, Johnny Vegas and Bob Mortimer all seem safe pairs of hands. And while Mark Ronson is a less obvious choice it is hard to see him taking time out to stand in for a full series.

So who could replace Bailey full time - Noel Fielding? For me his three-show stint in Bailey's chair was something of a disappointment - Fielding came across as a bit too self-satisfied and there was an uncomfortable amount of truth in Amstell's dissection of the Mighty Boosh star's comic style during this verbal joust.

The Buzzcocks producers' Simon Amstell-shaped curve ball worked a treat and it would be interesting to see a similarly unexpected choice.

Comic ability and a knowledge of music are the criteria, but who fulfils them? Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman has the latter - but perhaps not the former (intentionally at least). He does have game show experience, though. One of the more memorable guests was Ryan Jarman of the Cribs but team captain? Perhaps not.

So who would you pick to take Bailey's place? And what were his finest Buzzcocks moments? Post your opinions below.

I definately think it should be Noel Fielding, but then again I'm a bit biased :OP