The Great British Bake Off has officially confirmed its new presenter. Alison Hammond will be replacing Matt Lucas on the much-loved Channel 4 show after he quit last year.
Bake Off announced the This Morning presenter as their new host on Friday, March 17. Posting a picture of Alison next to an impressice cake featuring Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Noel Fielding, the show announced: "BAKING NEWS.
"We're delighted to announce that Alison Hammond will be joining forces with Noel Fielding to host the next series of The Great British Bake Off on @Channel4 later this year. We cannot wait!"
Reacting to the news, former GBBO winner Rahul Mandal, wrote: "How brilliant and exciting news is that!! Yay. I just want to go back in the tent with you and experience the amazing chemistry between you and Noel."
While another fan added: "Couldn’t be happier with this!!," as a third commented: "It's an immediate yes from me."
But why did Matt Lucas leave and what has Alison said about her new role? Here's everything you need to know ahead of the show's comeback.
Why did Matt Lucas leave Bake Off?
Matt announced he was quitting the series at the end of last year. In a social media statement he wrote: "Farewell Bake Off! It's been a delicious experience and I can't imagine a more fun way of spending my summers, but it's become clear to me that I can't present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.
"So, after three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else. I would like to give my warmest, thanks and gratitude to everyone at Love Productions and Channel 4, and to Noelipops, Paul, Dame Prue, the crew, and, of course, the wonderful bakers for welcoming me into the tent. I wish whoever takes over all the very best, and I can’t wait to tune into the next series without already knowing who won! XXX Matt"
Matt took over the presenting duties of the baking programme in 2020, replacing Sandi Toksvig as host.
What has Alison Hammond said?
Sharing the news herself, Alison posted a video and commented: "It's OFFICIAL!!! It's happening The Great British Bake off ! Let's have it! The cake that is."
Alison was flooded with comments from celebrity friends with co-star Prue writing: "Huge congratulations Alison, you will be magnificent and I can’t wait for your infectious laugh to be ringing through the tent."
While Claudia Winkleman simply wrote: "BRILLIANT," followed by three heart emojis, while Joel Domment said: "SUCH GREAT NEWS."
When does The Great British Bake Off 2023 start?
While an official start date has not yet been confirmed, the famous tent will return later this year. In 2022, the Bake Off started on Tuesday, September 13 and in 2021 it began airing on September 21.
However, the Great Celebrity Bake Off will return to Channel 4 for Stand Up to Cancer 2023 on Sunday, March 19, with Matt hosting the show for the final time.
Celebrities in the line-up are the Repair Shop's Jay Blades, former Little Mix member Jesy Nelson, Murder in Successville's Tom Davis, Starstruck's Rose Matafeo, Noughts + Crosses' Judi Love, Taskmaster's Mike Wozniak and Dragons Den's Deborah Meaden.
They'll be joined in the 2023 line-up by Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Taylor, No More Jockeys' Tim Key, The Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas, Loose Women's Coleen Nolan, TV presenter Paddy McGuinness, Gemma Collins and Friends star David Schwimmer. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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