Matt Lucas is leaving the GBBO

December 6, 2022 by
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Next year’s Great British Bake Off is going to look a little different, as one of the show’s co-hosts, Matt Lucas, announced that he would not be returning to the program in 2023. In an Instagram post, he said that hosting has “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.”

Screenshot from The Great British Baking Show: Holidays

Neither Channel 4 nor Love Productions has announced a replacement. However, the official GBBO Instagram account posted: “We’ve loved having Matt Lucas brighten up our Tent for the last three years, especially when laughter and smiles were so much in need.”

Lucas replaced Sandi Toksvig who left the show in 2020, also after three seasons. (Maybe it’s tough working with Noel Fielding for more than three years?) Fielding and Toksvig replaced Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc who were the long-time hosts of the GBBO before it moved to Channel 4. The only original host or judge is Paul Hollywood, who has been with the program since its inception. I think having a former contestant as a co-host could be interesting.

Category: Antipasto

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9 Comments

  • katylynnf  on  December 6, 2022

    I wish him well! And also, I must say I am not disappointed… 🙂

  • KarinaFrancis  on  December 7, 2022

    I have to admit, I’m not sad he is leaving.

  • gamulholland  on  December 7, 2022

    Except having a former contestant as a co-host means you’ve got a seasoned baker there who isn’t a judge and who is pulling for all of them— I’d have a hard time not giving tips and suggestions, if it were me. 🙂

  • Plutarch  on  December 7, 2022

    Just like Marmite, you either love or can’t abide Matt Lucas, he’s definitely an acquired taste. Not sure about the former contestant option, as the role needs to remain light hearted and comedic. Bradley Walsh would be a good choice.

  • KatieK1  on  December 7, 2022

    He never seemed genuine to me. Can’t wait to see who replaces him.

  • dgiles  on  December 7, 2022

    Not sorry. Even the contestants seemed irritated by the way he horns in on them with his lame jokes while they’re trying to bake something complicated against the clock.

  • Vanessa  on  December 7, 2022

    Not sorry, and Noel Fielding should consider hanging up his timeclock and eyeliner too. I still miss Mel and Sue, and the days of the double entendres that were actually funny.

  • gamulholland  on  December 8, 2022

    I think (?) there have been 3 white judges and 5 white comedians, and maybe it’s about time to have a person of color as a host? And I don’t mean to prevent cringey spectacles like Mexican week— they should consult some professional bakers for that— but just as a better representation of what Britain is like these days.

  • Monkeyhippy  on  December 8, 2022

    I don’t hate him, but I won’t miss him. I really miss Sandy. Love the idea of a former contestant becoming co-host. And definitely past due to have more POC representation on the host/judge side.

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