Alison Hammond has exclaimed 'it's official' as she finally confirmed her next big TV role. The presenter has announced that she will be the new co-host of the Great British Bake Off when it returns to screens later this year.
It was reported on Thursday night (March 16) that the This Morning star had bagged the role following the exit of Matt Lucas. He announced his departure from the popular Channel 4 show in December, explaining he was leaving as he could no longer commit to the programme’s schedule alongside his other projects but described his time on the show as a "delicious experience".
Alison will now co-host the show with Noel Fielding and join judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith in the tent, three years after she appeared on an episode of celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, in which she momentarily became confused about the whereabouts of her oven door.
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Confirming her new TV gig, the 48-year-old shared a video to Instagram in which she interviewed herself - sort off. Alison filmed a celebratory cake which recreated the inside of the tent where the judges cast their verdicts on the contestants' bakes. Sweet figurines of Paul and Prue were included as well as ones of Bake Off's newest hosting duo.
"Yes it's breaking news, Alison Hammond is joining the team of the Great British Bake Off," the This Morning host could be heard saying behind the camera before zooming in on her own icing-based figure and asking: "Alison, have you got any words whatsoever?"
Alison then said she was "absolutely thrilled" and confirmed she'd be meeting the new batch of bakers "soon". She added: "I'm so excited. As you can see my colleagues are absolutely speechless," as she pretended to interview the edible figures. "Just speechless. We're just so very happy and we can't wait to get started."
She then typed alongside the post confirming the move, which makes the former Big Brother contestant the first non-white host or judge in the show's 14-year history: "It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off ! Let’s have it ! The cake that is [crying laughing emoji]#GBBO 2023 @britishbakeoff @noel_fielding @prueleith @channel4 @paul.hollywood."
Prue was the first of the Bake Off stars to respond, writing: "Huge congratulations Alison, you will be magnificent and I can’t wait for your infectious laugh to be ringing through the tent." The Masked Singer's Joel Dommett commented: "SUCH GREAT NEWS," while Strictly host Claudia Winkleman said "BRILLIANT" alongside a string of red hearts.
Fellow ITV star Lorraine Kelly had also tweeted: "Big congrats to the force of nature that is our @AlisonHammond – she will be fabulous on Bake Off #GBBO @BritishBakeOff." Meanwhile, Rylan Clark reshared a number of pictures of himself and Alison during a stint hosting This Morning together and wrote: "So proud of @AlisonHammond. In the great words of the Harding ITS ABOOUTTT TIIIIMMMEEE x." Singer Alexandra Burke also added: "Forever proud of you!!!!!! Congrats darling."
@italktelly said: "THE BEST NEWS!!!" @megzagal commented: "Couldn’t have been a better choice." @bloxy1 posted: "Ah this is amazing! You are going to be brilliant!" @lisa_aylott replied: "The show just got 100% better." @denijgregs shared: "Best news ever! You’ll be incredible!" @xmaxine_smithx added: "Omg this is the best news, I can’t wait. Alison is going to be flipping Amazing."
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz also commented: "Alison is much loved, effortlessly funny and the owner of the best laugh in Britain. She was a huge hit when she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off and we’re thrilled to have her back in the tent."
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