Toksvig to hang up her Bake Off apron

ONE OF THE FAMILY: Sandi Toksvig with co-presenter Noel Fielding and, above, with judges Pau lH ollywood and Prue Leith while filming the popular series The Great British Bake Off. PICTURES: CHANNEL 4/PA

CHANNEL 4 has found itself having to mix the ingredients once more on one of its most popular shows after comedian Sandi Toksvig announced she is leaving as presenter of The Great British Bake Off.

Her co-host Noel Fielding said he would feel like “Tom without Jerry” when she leaves the Channel 4 programme after its forthcoming charity series.

Ms Toksvig has fronted the contest, alongside Fielding and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, since 2017, when it moved from BBC One.

She is standing down to focus on other projects and will shortly present a series on adult literacy for Channel 4.

Hollywood said she would “always be part of the Bake Off family” and Ms Leith tweeted: “We shall be lifelong friends way beyond the tent”.

Ms Toksvig, who also hosts the BBC’s QI, said: “As my waistline

It is going to feel like Tom without Jerry when she leaves. Fellow Bake-off presenter Noel Fielding yesterday.

will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.

“Spending time with Prue, Paul and Noel has been one of the great pleasures of my life.”

She added the format had “proved it can happily withstand a change of hosting personnel”.

She joined the show, with Fielding and Leith, when original presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc and judge Mary Berry quit following the channel move.

Nadiya Hussain, an Open University student in Leeds when she won the competition in 2015, has emerged as the favourite to replace Ms Toksvig, according to the bookmaker William Hill. Comedians Jo Brand, Joe Lycett and Richard Ayoade are also ranked. Channel 4 has said the only qualifications would be “mopping up spills and the occasional tear”.