Manchester-born actress Aimee Lou Wood is set to return to television screens this weekend as host of Saturday Night Live UK, a year after being ridiculed on the original US version of the variety show. The Sex Education star will be joined by singer-songwriter MEEK on the programme this Saturday, 2nd May. The series launched on Sky in March to widespread acclaim.
Wood’s appearance comes after a controversial sketch on the US show last April, where cast member Sarah Sherman mocked Wood’s distinctive smile by wearing oversized fake teeth. The parody, which targeted Wood's portrayal of Chelsea in The White Lotus, sparked outrage from fans. Wood condemned the sketch as 'mean and unfunny' on Instagram, adding that she could take a joke but that there 'must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way' to approach it. SNL later issued an apology, and Sherman sent Wood flowers.
Wood has now demonstrated a willingness to put the matter to rest. In a promotional clip for Saturday's episode, Wood appears alongside SNL UK cast members Al Nash, Paddy Young, Ayoade Bamgboye, and Celeste Dring. She tells them she 'cannot wait to get started' and 'wipe the slate clean'. However, she becomes suspicious when she notices the comedians covering their mouths, exclaiming: 'Oh my god. Have you guys got fake teeth in? Wow, this is all just one big setup to humiliate me, then. I thought SNL UK would be different, but I was wrong.' The cast then reveal they have donned moustaches instead, placing one on Wood and drawing her into a group hug.
In a recent interview with GQ, Wood voiced frustration over the ongoing conversation about her teeth, which had escalated to online orthodontists dissecting them in viral videos. 'It makes me really happy that it's symbolising rebellion and freedom, but there's a limit,' she said. 'The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work... if it was a man, would we be talking about it this much?'
