The news that the Great British Bake Off was leaving the BBC and losing everyone but Paul Hollywood was more shocking than BDSM expo in a power plant.
Mel & Sue, along with judge Mary Berry, would not be making the transition over to Channel 4 with Hollywood, leaving the public wondering who could fill those slightly flour-sprinkled shoes.
Well today we have our answer, and it seems that no one was expecting it, not even the bookies.
Sandi Toksvig, food writer Prue Leith and Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding will be pitching up in the GBBO tent when the next series airs later this year.
Yep, you read that right.
Toksvig – established presenter, warm-natured and witty. A good choice.
Leith – really the only sensible choice to replace the irreplaceable Mary Berry.
Fielding – what the fuck is happening here?
It’s about as left-field a choice as a broadcaster can make. No one’s questioning Fielding’s comedic chops or likeable personality, but you can’t deny that it’s an odd line-up.
Everyone acknowledges that it’s weird, but some people think that it could actually work.
Oh God now I've though about it I think it might actually work #GBBO
— Christopher Wickham (@c_wickham) March 16, 2017
Bravo to whoever booked Noel Fielding to host #gbbo I might actually watch it now
— Louis Kerry (@LouisK68) March 16, 2017
Noel Fielding presenting bake off is possibly one of the best things to happen 😍😍
— Harriet (@harriet_maughan) March 16, 2017
Some people, however, are less optimistic.
Noel Fielding on #GBBO is the human equivalent of putting pineapple on pizza.
— David Bedwell (@DavidBedwell) March 16, 2017
Noel Fielding for #GBBO? Might as well just set fire to the tent and be done with it 🙁
— Caroline Palmi (@CarolinePalmi) March 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/MuseWarrior94/status/842435804953739266
#GBBO Has officially died with a cast like this!! 👎
— ❤️Jan 🌻 (@Jan1426) March 16, 2017
In a statement, Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt said: “The Great British Bake Off will have a uniquely Channel 4 take when it airs this autumn.
“Paul and Prue have huge amounts of expertise and warmth. I’m looking forward to seeing them putting our great new bunch of amateur bakers through their paces.
“Sandi and Noel bring a fresh wit and quirkiness to the tent. It’s just the sort of innovative lineup audiences expect from Channel 4.”
As ever with these things, the proof will be in the pudding.
No, I’m not sorry.
