Sandi Toksvig has spoken about her reason for stepping down as host on the Great British Bake Off saying it was time to "move along" but she's still "great mates" with judge Prue Leith. The comedian and author joined Kate Garraway and Adil Ray on Good Morning Britain on Thursday, May 5 for an interview to promote her upcoming tour, Next Slide Please.
But the 64-year-old broadcaster, who hosted the series when it first moved from BBC One back in 2017 alongside Noel Fielding, was also quizzed on why she decided to leave the popular baking series back in 2020. Sandi explained how she wanted to explore new opportunities.
During her appearance on ITV's morning news programme Kate Garraway asked: “Why did you leave by the way? I don’t think we ever worked it out. Did you just get fed up?” to which Sandi replied: “I think you can only watch so much meringue dry and then after a while you do think I to move along now" and laughed.
Co-host Adil was intrigued and asked Sandi if she had “just got bored” of the job. “I'd done three years and I enjoyed it," Sandi continued: "I’m huge friends with Prue as well, we stayed great mates and I had a lovely time. But the world is so exciting and so interesting and what I love, I will get to the tour, I love live things. I love where you don’t know what’s going to happen right now.”
At the time of her departure, Sandi said in her statement she was leaving to focus on her "other work" and said working with GBBO judges Prue and Paul and co-host Noel had been "one of the greatest pleasures" of her life. The role was filled by comedian Matt Lucas, who in April switched roles from presenter to contestant, and stepped in for a celebrity on an episode for Stand Up to Cancer.
In the last two weeks, Channel 4 have been showing re-runs of old Great British Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer episodes from 2020 which were hosted by Sandi and Noel. Many viewers were delighted to see her back on screens with some even calling on her to return.
Since her departure from the tent, Sandi has hosted her own series titled 'Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig' on Channel 4 which sees the presenter and her famous female pals head to remote and beautiful holiday destinations. She's also currently presenting the new More4 series The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge which continues on Sunday's from 9pm.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV and ITV Hub from 6am.
