Elton’s surprising departure from the ProSieben competition show “Schlag den Star”: Matthias Opdenhövel returns after 13 years and becomes presenter again. He will replace his colleague on June 1st, as ProSieben announced on Wednesday in Unterföhring. Elton leaves the show without any farewell performance. Elton hosted “Schlag den Star” for eight years. The 53-year-old reacted to ProSieben’s decision with great disappointment. “Let me make one thing clear: I am not giving up this wonderful show voluntarily,” the moderator wrote on Instagram.
Elton recently launched several shows on the ProSieben competition RTL. This end of the commitment is obviously related to this. An industry insider told the dpa on Wednesday that Elton’s management had been informed for some time. The moderator himself, however, wrote about a surprising decision in the post.
Elton criticized his previous client: “It seems like it’s too much for ProSieben that I’m working at RTL. Suddenly!!! ‘Beat the best’ and also ‘Embarrass or collect’ were only offered to ProSieben.” He is “really speechless, angry but above all extremely sad. I’m not even granted a farewell show after 23 years at ProSieben. Without words!!!”
Opdenhövel in Cologne, on the other hand, radiated optimism. He hosted “Schlag den Raab” from 2006 to 2011 and “Schlag den Star” in 2010. ProSieben quoted the 53-year-old in the statement: “It’s an honor and a homecoming at the same time. I can’t wait to be back in my old living room after 13 years and I’m looking forward to all the celebrity pairings and crazy games.”
According to the announcement, ProSieben boss Hannes Hiller said: “I’m really looking forward to this special comeback.” There was no official broadcaster statement about Elton’s statements. Around three weeks ago it was announced that Elton would moderate the format “The RTL EM Studio – All Games, Goals, Emotions” for RTL during this year’s European Football Championship. The show comes from Stefan Raab’s new production company. Elton – who once became prominent on ProSieben – has been on the air with “Blamieren oder Kassieren” on RTL since October 2023 and has also been hired there for the show “Schlag den Besten”.