ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, BAKE!

TheGreatBritishBakeOff is back with a new host but plenty of its original charm

There’s a fresh face in TheGreatBritishBake Off tent! Matt Lucas, who’s probably most well-known for creating LittleBritain with BGT judge David Walliams, has replaced Sandi Toksvig on the Channel 4 favourite which is back for its 11th series.

“I’m chuffed to bits to be joining the most delicious show on television,” Matt says. “I can’t wait to break bread with Noel, Prue and Paul and meet the brilliant bakers. And bearing in mind my love of cake, I’ve already ordered some much larger trousers in anticipation.

See you in the tent!”

He’ll work alongside comedian Noel Fielding, who was an outside choice for the job when Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins stepped down after the 2016 series. However, Noel’s humble and laid-back presenting style has made him a firm favourite with both viewers and contestants.

On his new co-presenter, Noel says, “I love Matt. I love his warmth and his comedy and his big joyful smile. I think if we play our cards right we could become the next Chas and Morph!”

BakeOff bosses have promised that filming for the new series, which wrapped in August, adhered to new Covid-19 filming guidelines and social distancing rules.

There were extra measures in place to keep everything disinfected, and the hundred-plus people involved in making the show quarantined before filming. Thanks to the extra safety the show should look and feel as normal, they said.

For judge Prue Leith, the new presenting duo has the potential to be a bit disruptive – for all the right reasons! The South Africanborn chef and restauranteur who joined the show when it moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017, jokes “The combination of Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding! Will we ever stop laughing and get any filming done?”

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