Sandi Toksvig opens up about real reason for quitting Great British Bake Off
‘QI’ host says she hasn’t spoken with former team since leaving the show in 2019
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.TV star Sandi Tokvsig has revealed the real reason why she chose to quit Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off.
The QI host joined the hit baking contest in 2017 after it switched broadcasters, having previously been aired by the BBC, and fronted the show alongside comedian Noel Fielding for three series.
She quit the show in 2019, when she was replaced by comedian Matt Lucas. At the time, Toksvig said she was leaving “to spend more time with my other work”.
As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show,” she said in her statement.
“Spending time with Prue [Leith], Paul [Hollywood] and Noel has been one of the great pleasures of my life. These are friendships which I know will continue beyond the confines of television.”
However, in a recent interview with Radio Times, the 65-year-old admitted that she was already growing tired of the show before her departure.
“To be honest, I left Bake Off because I stopped having fun,” she said. “I was literally standing there watching meringues dry and thinking, ‘Oh my god, my brain is atrophying.’
“So after three years, I thought, ‘That’ll do, go and do something else!’.”
She added: “I’m in love enough with the business to think, ‘OK, that’s a nice pay cheque, but it doesn’t work for me. I’ll move on and do something else’.”
In the same interview, she revealed that she hasn’t been in touch with the Bake Off team since she left, and doesn’t watch the show.
“I don’t like cake,” she admitted. “But if somebody makes The Great British Cheese Off, I’m in.”
Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, who has been with the show since its inception in 2010, previously confessed he was “surprised” and “really upset” after Toksvig announced her departure.
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
Toksvig’s replacement Lucas stunned Bake Off fans in December 2022 when he announced that he was quitting the show, after it “became clear” that he could no longer present the show alongside his other projects.
He was replaced by Good Morning Britain star Alison Hammond, who has since joined Fielding along with judges Hollywood and Prue Leith.
“It’s Official!! It’s happening, The Great British Bake off!” Hammond wrote on X/Twitter when she confirmed the news in March last year.
“Let’s have it – The cake that is... so excited!”
She made her Bake Off debut in the latest series, which concluded in November 2023 with a triumphant win for the “underdog” of the season.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments