Alison Hammond confirms she’ll host Great British Bake Off with Noel Fielding: ‘Let’s have it... the cake, that is’
‘This Morning’ host will join Noel Fielding as the co-host for Channel 4 baking competition
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Alison Hammond has confirmed that she will be the new co-host of The Great British Bake Off.
The presenter, who is known to many for her work on This Morning, will take over Matt Lucas’s position on the programme, after his departure at the end of 2022.
She will join Noel Fielding, who has hosted the programme since its move from BBC One to Channel 4 in 2017.
On Friday morning (17 March), Hammond posted the announcement on social media.
“It’s Official!! It’s happening, The Great British Bake off!” she wrote on Twitter. “Let’s have it – The cake that is... so excited!”
The post includes a video that shows a cake version of her, Fielding, and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, in a mock Bake Off tent.
Hammond is heard interviewing the figurine version of herself about the new gig in the light-hearted clip.
“Alison, have you got any words whatsoever?” she asks mini Alison.
The small version “replies”: “Well, do you know what, I’m absolutely thrilled. I’m going to be meeting the bakers very soon. I’m joining The Great British Bake Off. I’m so very excited.
“As you can see, all my colleagues are absolutely speechless,” she adds, as the camera pans past the silent figurines of the other Bake Off stars.
Hammond ends the video by saying: “We’re so very happy, and we can’t wait to get started.”
With Hammond’s appointment, this marks the first time in Bake Off’s 14-year history that there has been a non-white presenter of the main show.
Channel 4’s chief content officer Ian Katz said in a statement: “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.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
On Thursday (16 March), reports first suggested that Hammond was next in line to replace Lucas on the programme.
When he announced his departure in December, he told fans that it had “become clear” that he was no longer able to work on the show.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments