Andreu Buenafuente and Silvia Abril will not host RTVE's New Year's Eve Countdown

Andreu Buenafuente and Silvia Abril, the couple chosen by TVE to host the traditional New Year's Eve bell-ringing, will not be ringing in the new year from Puerta del Sol. Less than a month ago, the comedian announced that he was halting all his professional activities on medical advice after a stress episode triggered by excessive workload. This led to the suspension of 'Futuro Imperfecto,' the show he hosts on La 1, as well as his commitments in theater and the podcast 'Nadie sabe nada,' which he co-hosts with Berto Romero. However, he would make an exception for the New Year's Eve broadcast, having already agreed to it with the public network.

However, Buenafuente communicated yesterday that he would not be able to participate in La 1's New Year's Eve celebration either. As he explained in a video on social media, which was also published by RTVE's communication account, the recovery process is "a bit slow" and he will need "a little more time" to do it right. "I don't think I should rush a recovery. I need to be well to do what makes me happy and, consequently, it will not be possible to do the bell-ringing with Silvia Abril," he said. "I see no good in forcing myself to work for one day. You have to return well. You have to be on the path, on the journey, on the progress and serenity to go back to doing what I like," added the presenter.

The presenter thanked the public television and Cadena SER "from the very beginning," something he especially highlighted because "it is not easy to stop an entertainment machine." "That a company you work for and give your all to doesn't make you feel guilty, nor frown, but instead asks 'what do you need?', is extremely important to me and anyone going through such a situation. So, many thanks," he defended.

Andreu Buenafuente tells us that he will need to extend his rest period and pause his professional schedule.

His recovery will take a bit more time, the time necessary to return at 100% in all his professional projects.

This means that neither he nor Sílvia Abril will be able to… pic.twitter.com/1O2DBau1jm

The Catalan comedian insisted that, at this moment, he does not need "a demanding horizon" and that his priority is "to return well and with progress" to what he likes doing. "I love what I do, but now it's time to recover. There will be more things in the future when I am able," he acknowledged, also recognizing the support of health professionals and his surroundings amid a "common stress episode in a fast-paced society like this, but not pleasant," which forced his body to "stop."

Activate Plan 'B'

Buenafuente's decision has the support of TVE. "Many thanks for the understanding, affection, and respect. From the corporation, we want to convey our sincerest support," they stated from Prado del Rey, who, given this situation, will need to activate a plan 'B' to choose the new presenters for the bell-ringing. RTVE sources explain to this newspaper that they are already looking for replacements and that the decision will be announced "in the coming days." Specifically, it will be next Tuesday, December 16, when the public network will present to the media its programming for the holidays.

The broadcast of the twelve grapes is an essential event on TVE, which on December 31 becomes a reference for welcoming the new year. Although its hegemonic leadership has been fading over the last decade, with the emergence of Cristina Pedroche and Alberto Chicote on Antena 3, it remains the favorite choice for those more traditional viewers who prefer to spend New Year's Eve on the usual TV.

Last year, David Broncano and Lalachus were chosen to ring in 2025, with a transgressive broadcast that returned the leadership of the bell-ringing to the public network. They were followed by more than 4.8 million viewers and a 31.2% market share on La 1, compared to the 4.3 million and 28.1% share recorded by the Atresmedia network.

Therefore, TVE's management will have to choose the new faces of their New Year's Eve broadcast with just 17 days left until New Year's Eve. The replacements will have to face off against Pedroche and Chicote, with the special appearance of Santiago Segura at Puerta del Sol, on all Atresmedia channels; and with Suso Jones and Sandra Barneda, chosen by Mediaset, who will host the end-of-year broadcast from the Formigal ski station.

A quite unprecedented scenario in RTVE and with only one precedent in the history of Spanish public broadcasting: when Ana Obregón announced her withdrawal one day before New Year's Eve 2021 after testing positive for COVID. Then, presenter Jacob Petrus was the substitute alongside Anne Igartiburu.