Bake Off host Noel Fielding stuns viewers with ‘E.T.’ Grindr joke and we can only assume Paul Hollywood thinks it’s an NHS app

Nov 04 2020
Written by Rajdeep Singh

Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding reenacting the iconic E.T scene on Bake Off, season 4 episode 7

Bake Off host Noel Fielding took viewers by surprise this week by joking E.T. was “definitely” on Grindr.

Fielding and co-host Matt Lucas dressed up as E.T. and his companion Elliott for an opening skit as the beloved series continued Tuesday (November 3) with ’80s Week.

In the Bake Off tent, Fielding wondered what the beloved alien would make of the 21st century, joking that E.T. would “definitely” be on Grindr.

Fans, of course, went wild.

https://twitter.com/ntyrbbygrl/status/1323723007827812354

https://twitter.com/bnwhishaw/status/1323726013302525956

I can't believe Grindr is trending because of Bake Off #GBBO pic.twitter.com/65uFo5ax1R

— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) November 3, 2020

Controversy was cooking on Bake Off when Paul Hollywood discarded the LGBT+ community.

Bake Off sparked controversy last month when the contestants were asked to bake rainbow bagels, and judge Paul Hollywood suggested that “rainbow colours, although it originated over in the States, I think it represents the NHS”.

Every gay on twitter when Paul Hollywood said the rainbow bagels represent the NHS #GBBO pic.twitter.com/6oIQ8UEo9t— ❄️Maber❄️ (@casualdva) October 6, 2020

The bizarre exchange left Gay Twitter in disbelief and drew a number of complaints to the broadcast regulator Ofcom.

While most of the commentary appeared to be tongue-in-cheek, a small number of people felt strongly enough to register a complaint with Ofcom – a grand total of 18, according to the Daily Mail.

Former winner turned TV cook Nadiya Hussain weighed in on the controversy, saying: “Reference it properly for goodness sake. But also I do like a rainbow bagel, I will say.”

She continued: “It’s OK, we’re inclusive! We are inclusive. And I think if you’re going for rainbows, when I make or buy rainbow bagels, I will cut them in half, smear cream cheese vanilla, and then sprinkle birthday rainbow sprinkles all on top.

“Like, if you’re gonna go rainbow and gay, you’ve got to go all the way.”

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, rainbows have been used as a signal of support for and solidarity with the health service.

Queer Britons have watched everything from bus operators to retailers use the six-stripe Pride flag to symbolise the NHS, fuelling alarm that LGBT+ history is being erased.