Paula Yates and Michael on the bed and Judi Love inset
TV

Remembering Paula Yates: The Big Breakfast’s iconic On The Bed interviews

Tragedy haunted the 1990s star

Paula Yates was much loved for her On The Bed interviews on The Big Breakfast. But, as Judi Love takes over, what happened to the 1990s icon?

The one-off reboot of the Channel 4 show that aired last year was a huge success with fans and critics alike.

Now it’s set to return on Saturday (August 13) for four weeks, with Mo Gilligan and Aj Odudu at the helm.

But as Judi Love prepares to fill the On The Bed slot, who was Paula Yates?

Denise van Outen and Johnny Vaughn
Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan in The Big Breakfast’s heyday (Credit: YouTube)

The Big Breakfast makes a comeback

The original Big Breakfast ran from 1992 until 2002.

Its colourful format and crazy antics of the hosts gripped the nation for a decade.

The Channel 4 show was originally presented by Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin.

Subsequent hosts included Donna Air, Zoe Ball, Johnny Vaughan, Denise Van Outen and Richard Bacon.

Former The Tube host Paula Yates interviewed stars as they lay next to her on a giant pink, fluffy bed adorned with animal print.

Her interviews became infamous thanks to her flirty, fun and cheeky nature – and she became one of the biggest stars of the 1990s as a result.

Loose Women’s Judi Love will front the On The Bed interviews in the reboot.

What happened to Paula Yates?

Paula dated Bob Geldof from 1976 and married him 10 years later.

They had three children together, Pixie, Fifi Trixabelle and Peaches.

But in 1994 Paula’s interview with INXS singer Michael Hutchence aired.

The chemistry between them became apparent during an On The Bed interview, and she left Geldof four months later.

Paula went on to have a daughter with Hutchence, named Tiger Lily.

But their happinesss was short lived.

Paula Yates' infamous interview with Michael Hutchence
Paula Yates’ infamous interview with Michael Hutchence (Credit: YouTube)

Michael Hutchence was found dead in his hotel room two years later in 1997.

His daughter was just 16 months old at the time.

I’ll have to wait to be with him again.

The Australian heart-throb, who had previously dated Kylie Minogue, was just 37.

Two years later she gave an interview saying: “I was clearly devastated. It’s a terrible thing… I’ll have to wait to be with him again.”

Three years later Paula Yates was tragically found dead.

The coroner ruled she had died of a heroin overdose.

Paula Yates
Paula in her first interview after losing Michael Hutchence (Credit: YouTube)

Mother-of-four Paula was just 41 years old.

Bob Geldof later adopted Tiger Lily and changed her name to Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence Geldof.

Tragically, her daughter Peaches also took her own life in 2014.

Paula had left the original Big Breakfast in 2000.

Denise Van Outen’s Big Breakfast comeback

Original host Denise Van Outen will appear on the reboot to ‘hand over the reins’.

Strictly star AJ Odudu and comedian Mo Gilligan are hosting four episodes of the Channel 4 show, which kicks off this weekend.

Read more: Why did Denise Van Outen fall out with Johnny Vaughan?

They say they want to recreate the ‘chaotic anarchy’ of the 1990s hit.

Tune into Channel 4 at 10am on Saturday (August 13) to watch.

Who was your favourite Big Breakfast host? Share your memories on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence on Big Breakfast