The new line up for the Great British Bake Off has been announced – and fans are seriously not happy.
Some people have even been asking if it could be an April Fool’s joke from Channel 4, as show bosses revealed the new names.
Culinary legend Prue Leith will be joining Paul Hollywood as a judge to replace Mary Berry, a rumour which had been circulating for months and the news of which didn’t raise too many eyebrows.
But it was the details of who will be replacing much-loved presenters Mel and Sue which had fans baffled and bemused.
QI presenter Sandi Toksvig will be one of the hosts, alongside Mighty Boosh comedian Noel Fielding. Formerly of Never Mind The Buzzcocks and a big friend of Russell Brand, the weirdly dressed Goth comic doesn’t seem an obvious choice for the country’s favourite baking show.
And fans didn’t waste any time in letting Twitter know they weren’t happy with Channel 4’s choices.
“Noel fielding presenting #gbbo is the strangest possible choice,” “I didn’t think Sandi Toksvig was in the running but she makes sense. Noel Fielding though?! #GBBO” and “Is @Channel4 having an early attempt at an April fools day joke? Noel Fielding? WTF #GBBO” were some of the milder comments.
Other fans weren’t mincing their words, saying: “I hear Noel Fielding & Sandi Toksvig will host Great British Bake Off on @Channel4 – I think we can all agree the show is now dead. #GBBO”, “Whoever thought Noel Fielding was a good idea for #GBBO needs sacking” and “Noel Fielding is an unfunny creep and he’s going to RUIN BAKE OFF. THIS IS THE WORST DECISION #gbbo.”
‘RIP GBBO’ was trending on Twitter, as fans shared their shock and displeasure at the news.
Replacing Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, who had been with the show since the very beginning but decided not to “follow the dough” and move to Channel 4, was always going to be a difficult job.
The pair had turned baking innuendo into an art form and developed a fantastic fun friendship with Paul and Mary, as well as supporting all the bakers.
It’s hard to imagine Noel Fielding being as warm and light-hearted, or making jokes about hot buns and moist sponges. It’s also difficult to imagine him and macho judge Paul Hollywood being able to bond in the slightest.
But, as last year’s contestant Selasi Gbormittah said on Good Morning Britain, we should all be willing to give the new line-up a chance.
“Noel Fielding is very funny which is what we need in the tent – or the new bakers need,” he said. And when asked if comedian Noel had enough experience to present the nation’s favourite show, he replied: “That’s his new challenge now so we just have to wait and see. We can’t knock it till we try it so we just have to wait and see what [Noel and Sandi] both have got to offer.”
As Channel 4 announced the line-up, new judge Prue said: “I am just so thrilled to be joining Paul, Sandi and Noel on the biggest show on TV and I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show – the bakers – are going to create for us.
“It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team.”
Sandi added: “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.”
And Noel himself 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.”
Channel 4 chief Jay Hunt explained the choices, saying: “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.”
Well, we suppose they do say that the proof is in the pudding….