Fans of The Great British Bake Off were disappointed as the final got underway, and they were told that host Noel Fielding was absent. The Mighty Boosh star Noel missed the signature bake and technical challenge, leaving co-presenter Matt Lucas to present the much-loved Channel Four baking battle alone.
At the start of the episode Matt explained that Noel wasn't feeling well. The announcement came as finalists Abdul, Sandro and Syabira took on their last three gruelling challenges of the series in the famous tent.
"This is the final, so I wish you all well and lots of luck," Matt said. "Now unfortunately Noely-pops isn't feeling very well so he's not here today." He added: "Hopefully he'll be feeling better later on and will join us."
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Viewers took to Twitter to air their disappointment as they said they were missing him. @HannGrenade__ asked: "No Noel in the #GBBO finale?! Why am I even watching this??" @Magpie_Dreams exclaimed: "Where’s Noel?!!!!"
@ACstyles75 said: "Late for #bakeoff Where’s Noel?" and @jeffsmissus wanted to know: "#bakeoff where is Noel? Missing him in the final."
Fans were pleased to see Noel back in the tent for the showstopper bake. No reference was made to his illness but Matt said they had "missed him" as judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith filled him in on what he had missed.
And Noel was there to crown the 2022 winner on lawn. A thrilled Syabira said it was the "biggest achievement in my life" as she was presented with the trophy. "Some of the flavours we've never had in the tent before," marvelled Paul, as Prue also praised her imaginative baking.
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