Sian Welby revealed she nearly choked while attempting the hazardous Chubby Bunny marshmallow challenge alongside actor Timothée Chalamet. The incident occurred during their 2023 appearance on This Morning, where the TV and radio host, 39, met Chalamet and his co-star Calah Lane as they promoted their film Wonka. The challenge, which involves fitting an increasing number of marshmallows into one’s mouth, has been linked to multiple choking deaths, highlighting its danger.
At the time, Welby was unaware of the potential fatal risks involved. Recalling the event on The Capital Breakfast: After The Show, Show! podcast, 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.”
This terrifying moment happened as she tried to speak with marshmallows stuffed in her mouth, asking Timothée and Calah to guess what she was saying.
The True Risks Behind the Popular Challenge
The Chubby Bunny challenge requires participants to place marshmallows in their mouth and say “chubby bunny” after each addition. Unfortunately, its innocent appearance masks the serious risk of choking. Welby’s experience brought the dangers home for her personally. She explained,
“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.”
Her co-hosts Jordan North and Chris Star echoed this caution, with both admitting the idea of the challenge “terrified” them.
Welby added that the severity of the risk only became clear after almost choking, and she later discovered news stories about tragic deaths resulting from the game. The incident underscores the urgent need for public awareness around such viral challenges that can lead to fatal consequences.
Sian Welby’s Career and Future Television Prospects
Beyond this frightening moment, Sian Welby continues to build her profile as a prominent media personality. Best known for hosting the Capital FM breakfast show and for several guest appearances on This Morning, Welby is reportedly under consideration to become one of the new presenters on Strictly Come Dancing. She could potentially replace Claudia Winkleman, who, along with Tess Daly, left the BBC show last year.
Industry insiders suggest Welby would be a strong fit for the show’s “Clauditorium” segment, where contestants receive judges’ scores.
“Sian might be less well-known than other names linked with Tess and Claudia’s jobs so far,”
a source said,
“But she’s got everything it takes with one special ingredient — a younger audience, thanks to her job on trendy Capital FM. 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 Among Hosts for Strictly Come Dancing Role
Reports also highlight Emma Willis and Zoe Ball as top contenders for hosting roles on Strictly Come Dancing. Emma Willis, 49, recently took over Zoe Ball’s afternoon slot on BBC Radio 2, just months after Ball stepped down. Zoe Ball has expressed enthusiasm about taking on the hosting position, having previously led the Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two until 2021.
One source described the selection as
“a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma. Only one will get it, not both.”
Senior executives reportedly want a balance on the show between a traditional presenter and a more unconventional female comedian.
“It’s felt the humour Claudia brought to the show, particularly in her Claudatorium, needs to carry on,”
the source added.
Industry Reactions and What This Means for Sian Welby
Sian Welby’s potential move to Strictly Come Dancing would mark a major step in her television career, leveraging her broad appeal and live broadcasting skills. Her involvement signals the show’s intention to attract a younger demographic alongside its established fan base. Meanwhile, the strong competition from figures like Emma Willis and Zoe Ball reflects the high-profile nature of the opening and the show’s importance in British entertainment.
With widespread interest in the hosting spots and the show’s future direction, the next announcements will be closely watched by audiences and media alike. Should Welby secure the role, it could extend her reach significantly beyond radio, boosting her prominence on national television platforms.
