Paul Hollywood has taken to Instagram to welcome new The Great British Bake Off presenter Alison Hammond after it was revealed she will be joining Noel Fielding on the Channel 4 show.
The This Morning presenter was exclusively unveiled as comedian Matt Lucas' replacement by The Mirror on Thursday.
Breaking his silence on the appointment, the baker, famous for his Hollywood handshakes, welcomed Alison to the Bake Off tent with a sweet Instagram tribute.
The celebrity baker, who has been a judge on the show since it began in 2010, posted a photo of the TV presenter with a specially designed Bake Off cake.
Confirming the news of her new role on Twitter, Alison tweeted: “It’s Official!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off! let’s have it – The cake that is so excited @BritishBakeOff @Channel4 @PrueLeith @PaulHollywood @noelfielding11 #GBBO."
Matt revealed in December he was stepping down from the presenting role after appearing in the last three series as he could no longer commit to the programme’s schedule alongside his other projects.
The comedian reposted Hammond’s announcement video to Twitter and wrote: “Dear Alison, many congratulations! You were born to do it. You will be brilliant! Xx."
Meanwhile, Noel posted a photo of his new co-host on his Instagram, writing: “It gives me so much pleasure to welcome @alisonhammond55 into the tent. I’m absolutely pumped we are working together. We are gonna spend the whole time giggling like naughty school kids. “The bakers are gonna love you to bits. x x x @paul.hollywood @prueleith @britishbakeoff x.”
A Channel 4 boss has said they are “thrilled” to have Alison Hammond back in The Great British Bake Off tent after she was a hit during her appearance on an episode of the celebrity spin-off version.
The TV presenter may not have won the special edition but she did leave a memorable impression when she momentarily became confused about the whereabouts of her oven door which had slid into the base of the appliance.
Channel 4’s chief content officer, Ian Katz, said: “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.”
Alison appeared on the celebrity version for Stand Up 2 Cancer back in 2010 and was a huge hit with Channel 4 viewers.
As she battled it out against James Blunt, Alex Jones and Joe Sugg, she declared: “I do think that good food and good baking comes from the heart - and I’ve got a lot of heart.”
Later in the show, Alison joked: “Oh my god, this is just going so well. Things are just running so smooth for me, this is actually boring TV. I’m literally a natural baker - and a natural eater as well.”
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