Today, Sandi Toksvig made the shock announcement that she is to leave her role as co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off after a three year run.
61-year old Toksvig has presented the show since it made the move from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017. She acts as a presenter alongside comedian Noel Fielding, while chefs Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith act as judges.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Toksvig revealed that she was quitting the show to focus on other work projects, labelling Bake Off as an “all-consuming show”. She also said that working alongside her co-stars had been “one of the great pleasures” of her life, and that Bake Off has “already proved it can happily withstand a change of hosting personnel”.
Toksvig’s co-stars all reacted with sadness on social media. Speaking about Toksvig’s departure, Prue Leith tweeted “we shall be lifelong friends way beyond the tent", while on Instagram, Noel Fielding wrote: “Good double acts are a rare and magical beast! I'm gonna miss Sandi comically and personally but I also know we were lucky to have her for 3 amazing years!” Also on Instagram, Paul Hollywood wrote: “I will miss Sandi, she has done an amazing job in the tent, much loved by all who met her. I wish Sandi continued success in all that she does."
Channel 4's director of programmes Ian Katz said: "We are immensely grateful for Sandi's contribution to the show. We will miss her warmth and wit, not to mention her endless willingness to be the butt of jokes about being the least tall person in the Bake Off tent."
Despite viewership showing a marked decline since the switch over from the BBC, The Great British Bake Off is still among Channel 4’s highest rated shows. A total of 6.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the finale of the most recent series, while the year before saw figures of 7.3 million.
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