Comedian and actor, Matt Lucas, is set to join Noel Fielding as co-host of The Great British Bake Off this spring, in place of Sandi Toksvig.
Sandi announced she would be stepping down from her role as co-presenter in January after three years on the show to concentrate on other work commitments. But, as the saying goes, one woman’s loss is another man’s gain (or something like that) and the Little Britain star is raring to go.
“I’m chuffed to bits to be joining the most delicious show on television," he said, adding that he can’t wait to break bread with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and his co-host Noel Fielding. The trio have all echoed Matt’s enthusiasm, though Prue wonders if they’ll be able to stop laughing long enough to get any filming done.
We think they’ll be just fine though, as it’s not the first time the show has hired two comedians to host. The first seven series of The Great British Bake Off were presented by comedy duo Mel and Sue (Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins) before the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4 and replaced Mel, Sue and Mary Berry with Noel Fielding, Sandi Toksvig and Prue Leith.
It’s not yet known for certain when series 11 of The Great British Bake Off will air, but as it’s usually during the last week in August, we’re betting on the week commencing 24 August 2020. Bake Off fans needn’t shed any tiers for the long wait though, as the five-part Great Celebrity Bake Off is airing right now, with presenter pals Noel and Sandi providing comic relief together for the last time.
As Noel said on hearing the news that Sandi was dessert-ing the programme, “good double acts are a rare and magical beast,” but we’re hoping he and Matt Lucas will be as entertaining as he and Sandi always were.
Fancy doing a bit of baking yourself? Check out our guide to the best baking classes London has to offer.