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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Phoebe Jobling

Channel 4 Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith breaks silence on Matt Lucas replacement and makes Noel Fielding confession

Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith has addressed Matt Lucas' replacement in an interview on Lorraine. The TV judge appeared on the ITV daytime show alongside Ranvir Singh who is stepping in as the host whilst Lorraine Kelly takes her annual Christmas break.

Prue, 82, who hosts the Channel 4 baking competition with Paul Hollywood, joined Ranvir to talk about her first ever live tour in 2023 where she will answer questions from the audience and share the highs and lows of being a restaurateur, businesswoman and Bake Off judge.

But during her appearance on the ITV show, Ranvir couldn't help but get some Great British Bake Off gossip after it was announced that Matt Lucas would be leaving the show earlier this month.

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Matt Lucas revealed he was stepping away from the Channel 4 programme after three series in a statement shared on Twitter on December 6.

The comedian co-hosted the baking show alongside Noel Fielding since 2020 but has now announced his time on the show is over after 51 episodes.

Matt said he would be stepping away from Bake Off due to his busy schedule, saying he wouldn't have the time to host it alongside his work on Fantasy Football League.

He wrote: "Farewell Bake Off! It's been a delicious experience and I can't imagine a more fun way of spending my summers. But it's become clear to me that I can't present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.

"So, after three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else.

"I would like to give my warmest thanks and gratitude to everyone at Love Productions and Channel 4 and to Noelipops, Paul, Dame Prue, the crew and, of course, the wonderful bakers for welcoming me into the tent.

"I wish whoever takes over the very best and I can't wait to tune into the next series without already knowing who won!"

Prue joined stand in host Ranvir (ITV)

Whilst on Lorraine, Ranvir asked Prue: "Can I ask you a question about Bake Off before we finish. Matt Lucas is leaving, who do you want to replace him?."

Prue responded: "I haven't a clue, I don't know anything about young comedians."

She then confessed: "I'd never even heard of Noel Fielding until I met him on there."

The Bake Off judge added: "I'd like somebody who I'd heard of. The truth is I've never understood Matt and Noel's jokes anyway. But I do adore Matt and he wants to do more theatre."

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