Entertainment

Noel Fielding will be great on GBBO, because Selasi just said so

The Bake Off veteran has joined stars welcoming Noel as the show’s new presenter.
The Bake Off veteran has joined stars welcoming Noel as the show’s new presenter. The Bake Off veteran has joined stars welcoming Noel as the show’s new presenter.

Former Great British Bake Off heart-throb Selasi Gbormittah has hailed the decision to cast “funny” Noel Fielding as the show’s new presenter.

He said the quirky comedian will make an ideal addition to the tent to calm the nerves of contestants.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Friday, he said: “Noel Fielding is very funny and it’s what new bakers need in the tent.”

“I’m very excited about it,” he continued, adding that Fielding and the other new co-host, Sandi Toksvig, would “ace” the job.The pair will join judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith as the much-loved show moves from the BBC to Channel 4, it was revealed on Thursday.Joining Selasi on ITV, last year’s finalist Jane Beedle said: “As long as they keep the format of the show and their love for the bakers… it will be lovely.”Radio 1′s Nick Grimshaw joined a number of stars and fans in welcoming former Mighty Boosh star Fielding to the reformed Bake Off family.

“It’s a really random choice,” he told his Friday morning programme.

“Bake Off has got to be the same in terms of the show – people baking in a tent – so what they can do is make it mad.

“We love Noel Fielding because he is very funny and very weird, but he isn’t nasty… his brain is out there.”

Radio star Jo Whiley tweeted Noel personally with her congratulations…

Sandi posted: “It’s an extraordinary honour to be charged with being in the mix to produce this national treasure of a show #GBBO.”Noel said: “GBBO is one of my favourite shows. I’ve always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It’s basically the double.”Bread expert Paul said he “could not be more delighted” about the newcomers, after his former colleagues Mary Berry, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show.He said: “Prue is a hugely respected culinary legend and Sandi and Noel are warm and utterly hilarious. I cannot wait to get back in the tent with the bakers.”

Noel is super pleased with his new job.
Noel is super pleased with his new job.
Noel is super pleased with his new job (Chris Radburn/PA)

Prue, who was a judge on the BBC’s Great British Menu, said: “I am just so thrilled to be joining Paul, Sandi and Noel on the biggest show on TV and I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show – the bakers – are going to create for us.“It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team.”News of the new signings was trending on Twitter shortly after they were announced, with many fans of the programme surprised but pleased at comedian Noel landing the role.