Sandi Toksvig to host Great British Bake Off
QI host Sandi Toksvig has landed another huge role, hosting the Great British Bake Off.
TV hosting duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins exited the popular British reality show last year after it announced a controversial move from BBC One to Channel 4.
Their replacements were confirmed today to be out comedian Sandi Toksvig and Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding.
Cookery writer Prue Leith will replace beloved judge Mary Berry, who bowed ouy when the show left the BBC. Chef Paul Hollywood is returning.
Sandi Toksvig OBE said “It is an extraordinary honour to part of this national treasure of a show.
“Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in show business. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh.
“The only down side is that he has much better dress sense that I do. I spend my daytimes on Channel 4 already so it will be a treat to be there in the evenings. I am so delighted to be working with Love Productions and Channel 4 on this best of British show.”
Noel Fielding said “GBBO is one of my favourite shows. I’ve always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It’s basically the double “.
Viewers will be forgiven for thinking that Toksvig is staging a one-woman takeover of popular TV shows, after replacing Stephen Fry as the host of QI last year to much acclaim.
Toskvig, who is married to wife Debbie, is a passionate supporter of LGBT equality and is also the co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party.
Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt said “The Great British Bake Off will have a uniquely Channel 4 take when it airs this autumn. Paul and Prue have huge amounts of expertise and warmth. I’m looking forward to seeing them putting our great new bunch of amateur bakers through their paces. Sandi and Noel bring a fresh wit and quirkiness to the tent. It’s just the sort of innovative lineup audiences expect from Channel 4.”
