Alison Hammond was ‘born’ to host the Great British Bake Off, according to Matt Lucas.
The former Little Britain star announced in December that he would be leaving the Channel 4 programme to focus on other obligations, and it was confirmed on Friday that This Morning fave Alison would be his replacement.
‘Dear Alison, many congrats!’ he tweeted in response to the happy news. ‘YYou were born to do it. You will be brilliant! Xx’
The 48-year-old actress will take Matt’s position in the famed tent, along with co-host Noel Fielding and judges Dame Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.
She announced the news in a stunning video that included a magnificent cake replication of the set — and the cast – while she interviewed herself in a dramatic voiceover.
‘Breaking news, Alison Hammond is joining the Great British Bake Off crew,’ she inquired. ‘Alison, do you have any words for me?’
Responding to her own question, she said: ‘Well, d’ya know what? I’m just absolutely thrilled, I’m gonna be meeting the bakers very soon and joining the Great British Bake Off.
‘I’m so very excited! As you can see, all my colleagues are absolutely speechless… Yep, yep, just speechless. We’re so very happy and we can’t wait to get started.’
She wrote alongside the video: ‘It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off ! Let’s have it ! The cake that is 😂#GBBO 2023’
In a statement she added: ‘Finally I can talk about it! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Great British Bake Off and can’t wait to meet this year’s bakers. It’s a huge honour to be back in the tent and I can’t wait to get started.’
It won’t be her first time in the tent, as she signed up to compete in the Stand Up To Cancer special in 2020.
Alison participated in the charity special edition of the long-running series alongside Joe Sugg, James Blunt, and Alex Jones.
Richard McKerrow, showrunner and executive producer, revealed last month what the crew was searching for in Matt’s replacement in the tent.
He explained they had been looking for someone who would ‘look after the bakers during their experience and be curious about what they’re baking and to do it with charm, humour and kindness’.
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz commented: ‘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.’
And Kieran Smith, Executive Producer at Love Productions, added: ‘Alison has already proved herself to be a natural on Bake Off, maybe not as a baker, but as someone who brings an infectious warmth and humour into the tent and we can’t wait for this year’s bakers to meet her and Noel. Welcome to The Great British Bake Off… ‘
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this year.