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Hannah Waddingham addresses bizarre Wicked rumours as she teases Ted Lasso return

Hannah Waddingham, 51, has been speaking about those Wicked rumours and Ted Lasso re-writes as the much-loved Apple TV show prepares to hit our screens again this summer

[Hannah Waddingham was unable to perform but still showed her support]

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How close was Hannah Waddingham to starring in Wicked?(Image: Getty Images)

Hannah Waddingham has finally answered the question many Wicked fans have been asking for months.

It has long been rumoured that she was overlook for the role of Madame Morrible, the regal headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University in the two-part musical fantasy film. Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh played the power-hungry manipulator, earning rave reviews.

But could the job have gone to Brit Hannah? She has now addressed the speculation that she went for the part, having been friends with Cynthia Erivo, who landed the iconic role of Elphaba, for more than ten years. The Ted Lasso actress says she would have loved to have played Madame Morrible, but the role was long gone before she could do anything about it.

[Ted Lasso]

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She is back in Richmond for series four of Ted Lasso(Image: Press Association Images)

Asked by Variety if she tested for the role of Madame Morrible, she said: No, I didnt. This is the funniest thing. We can put this to bed once and for all.

She recalls chatting to Cynthia and went on: "I was like, I think its gone. She was like, Dude, I think its gone as well' - I would have loved to have been seen for that, but it was a fait accompli, as they say.

Hannah made her stage debut in 1998 and performed in the West End for more than a decade as the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

One opportunity she couldn't miss was reviving Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso, and she has made it clear that she does not see her character's relationship with Ted as romantic.

The idea of never playing Rebecca again felt like losing a pal she told the publication and spoke about what it is like working alongside co-creator Jason Sudeikis with rumours of his non-stop rewrites.

[Michelle Yeoh]

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She wanted the Wicked role but Michelle Yeoh got there first!(Image: Universal Studios/Giles Keyte. All Rights Reserved)

Theres always going to be a bit of give-and-take within a scene, because of the nature of how Sudeikis works, she added. He hears it in the room, and then we tweak. With that boy, youve got to roll with the punches. He and I have an ongoing love-hate relationship that he changes it last minute.

Ted return to Richmond to take on his biggest challenge yet as he is set the task of coaching a second division women's football team, he and the team members take risks they never thought they would.

The Emmy Award-winning series is returning with Juno Temple, Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsey, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely all taking to the field.

But not everyone is thrilled it's back. Roy Kent actor Brett Goldstein was surprised at the renewal, telling The Hollywood Reporter: "We buried it. We all cried, we had a funeral. Are you saying we can bring anything back? Its too much power.

Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed, who plays Nathan Shelley in the series, said season four will focus on new characters. Speaking to Collider about the possibility of his return, he said, "I know that it's about a whole different set of characters. I can't even talk about it without giving anything away.

"We'll have to see. We'll have to see who pops up where and when. But I know that they're filming it now, and I've been socializing with them all. Theyre all very well, so we'll see what happens."

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