Stop the clocks, cut off the telephone, because Sandi Toksvig just quit the Great British Bake Off
Great British Bake Off presenter Sandi Toksvig is, well, off the show to focus on other projects, she announced on Twitter today.
The political activist and comedian presented the cooking show since it carted off to Channel 4 from the BBC, bringing a close to her three-yearslong stint in the iconic tent.
Toksvig, 61, said she is departing from the show to “spend more time” on other projects, she wrote.
It remains unclear whether co-host Noel Fielding will continue presenting the show solo or not all following her departure.
Sandi Toksvig: ‘As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.’
“When stepping down from a job it is quite common for people to say they are doing so in order to spend more time with their family,” Toksvig said in a statement.
“Unusually, I am departing from the Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work.
“As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.
“Spending time with Prue, Paul 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.
https://t.co/UrrKin8a6u pic.twitter.com/LsFDqzoDjs
— Sandi Toksvig (@sanditoksvig) January 16, 2020
“Bake Off is a wonderful programme which has already proved it can happily withstand a change of hosting personnel.
“The reason for that, of course, is that the true stars of the show are the bakers themselves.
“I wish everyone well.”
Channel 4 executives said in a statement they will miss her “warmth and wit, not to mention her endless willingness to be the butt of jokes”.
The broadcaster added that she will continue to engage with its programmes on new series, none of which will, alas, “involve cake”.
‘We will miss you’: Twitter says goodbye to beloved Bake Off host.
While the people of Twitter essentially said “No!” all in unison.
https://twitter.com/pennyyoungleson/status/1217772597162717184
She was my favourite thing about the show …. NOOOOOO!!! #GBBO https://t.co/I2T6LogUrj— Josh Rom (@JoshRomOnAir) January 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/Quent48911092/status/1217768747299155968