Bake Off fans around the country awoke this morning to the news that Alison Hammond will replace Matt Lucas on the Channel 4 baking show.
The announcement was made in a statement on Friday, with Hammond – who had previously featured as a participant in the 2020 Stand Up to Cancer special – providing specifics to fans.
She said: ‘I’m so very excited! As you can see, all my colleagues are absolutely speechless. I’m gonna be meeting the bakers very soon.’
Hammond will be the sixth presenter in Bake Off history, following Sue Perkins, Mel Geidroyc, Sandi Toksvig, and now Lucas.
After Toksvig’s resignation in 2019, Lucas, 49, took over as host, presenting for the first time during the epidemic.
Nevertheless, Lucas announced his retirement following the conclusion of the most recent season, which was won by Syabira Yusoff, leaving his spot free for Hammond.
Why is Matt Lucas leaving Great British Bake Off?
Matt Lucas announced his departure from the Great British Bake Off in December 2022, shortly after the show’s 13th season concluded.
In a statement posted to Twitter, he said: ‘Farewell Bake Off! It’s been a delicious experience and I can’t imagine a more fun way of spending my summers.’
He continued: ‘After three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else.’
Lucas revealed that he has decided to leave Bake Off in order to devote his time to hosting Fantasy Football League on Sky TV.
He explained: ‘It’s become clear to me that I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.’
Speaking about Hammond taking over his role, he said: ‘Dear Alison, many congratulations! You were born to do it. You will be brilliant!’
When can I watch Bake Off Stand Up to Cancer?
The new series of The Great British Bake Off Stand Up to Cancer premieres on Channel 4 on March 19 at 7.45 p.m.
It stars a spectacular mix of recognisable faces, including David Schwimmer from Friends, Jesy Nelson from Little Mix, and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
Commenting on her interactions with Schwimmer, judge Prue Leith stated that he was motivated to win and first refused to speak to anyone.
Leith told The Mirror: ‘I thought he’d behave like Ross – he’d be like he was in Friends. But he was actually very concentrated and didn’t want to talk to anybody.’
Watch The Great British Bake Off on All 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.