Matt Lucas has claimed that he had never seen The Great British Bake Off before being hired as a presenter, a job he had previously stated he did not want.
The 48-year-old comic joined the reality baking series in 2020, hosting three seasons alongside Noel Fielding and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.
Matt left the programme late last year, claiming that it was impossible for him to juggle filming with his other endeavours, including Fantasy Football League.
Now he’s revealed more about his choice to walk away, describing it a ‘pandemic job’ that he basically ‘went along with’.
‘I’d never seen the show beforehand and I was not a baker,’ he said.
‘They were just looking for a new host and it came at a time where I had been living in LA for seven years and I had just sold my house there and I was thinking about coming back and spending more time with my family and friends.
‘I was told they were interested in me, but I said I’d never seen it, so they [the production company] asked if I would watch it, and I watched a couple of episodes and thought it was great, but I don’t want to host a TV show, but I said “thank you, I’m really grateful,”‘ he recalled on The Deeney Talks podcast.
But, after being encouraged by his agent to meet with the production firm, Matt agreed to attend the meeting and was startled to be given the role.
‘Anyway, I went along with it and got the job and then I was like “oh ok” and it just kind of happened – it was exactly when the pandemic was and it was the perfect pandemic job and I did it and it was fun and I had a great time with Noel and Paul and Prue and the bakers were lovely and I learned a bit about baking,’ he continued.
But, after 51 episodes, he believed it was time for’someone else to do it,’ since he wanted to focus on his interests.
Matt stated that initiatives such as Fantasy Football League, writing a book and musical, and collaborating on a new TV series with former Little Britain star David Walliams all demanded a major time commitment.
‘It probably utilises what I have better than Bake Off,’ he said of his sporting show.
‘I just don’t have the time and not doing Bake Off means I have time to do some writing with David and record my music as well as Fantasy Football League,’ he added.
Matt noted his demanding schedule while announcing his retirement from Bake Off in December, saying it was time to ‘pass the baguette’ to someone else.
He joined the show in season 11 to replace comedian Sandi Toksvig, who resigned after three seasons.
Matt’s replacement will be named shortly, according to showrunner and executive producer Richard McKerrow.
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’.
Great British Bake Off is expected to return to Channel 4 in the autumn.