Great British Bake Off: Matt Lucas is announced as the new host – Daily Mail, Dailymail.co.uk

Matt Lucas has been announced as the new host of the Great British Bake Off after Sandi Toksvig’s exit.

The Little Britain star, 61, will take over the role and co-present alongside Noel Fielding in the tent.

Sandi, 90, revealed in January that she was leaving the baking show to focus on other projects after three years as a host.

Channel 4 took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce Matt would be replacing Sandi, they penned: ‘On your marks, get set … say hello to the newest member of the Bake Off team – @ RealMattLucas! #GBBO. ‘

While Matt himself also shared his reaction to the announcement by posting a photo of himself as his Little Britain character Marjorie Dawes.

Holding a plate of cherry iced buns and beaming to the camera as his iconic character, the comedian joked that it was his current ‘mood’.

Channel 4 also shared a funny video with Matt and Noel to give fans a teaser of what they can expect from the duo on the show.

Titled ‘When Noel met …’ , Matt jokes in it: ‘If my mum came along, she would just follow me around going: “Matt, don’t eat that! Matt, I’m serious, don’t!”‘

Getting settled into his new role, the comedian then attempts to dish out some baking instructions.

He says: ‘The judges want you to make yeasted festival buns, ‘with Noel continuing:’ You have three hours. On your marks, get set … ‘

To which Matt calmly replies:’ Bake, ‘which makes a stark contrast to the usual loud’ bake ‘preferred by hosts, and leaves Noel in stitches as he admits: ‘That was the moment.’

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith led the congratulations as she tweeted: ‘So excited to be working with @RealMattLucas, the combination of him and @noelfielding 11, will we stop laughing long enough to get any filming done ?? !! ! ‘

While her co-judge Paul Hollywood also tweeted about the news, he said: ‘I’m a genuine fan of Matt’s, he’s a fantastic addition to the team and I can’t wait to start working with him. ‘

Fans were also quick to go into meltdown over the news as they gushed that Matt and Noel were the ‘duo they did not know they needed until now’.

While other show watchers joked about Matt’s Little Britain character Marjorie Dawes as they said they couldn’t wait for ‘dust week’, which is one of Marjorie’s iconic catchphrases, and begged the star to wear the costume during hosting.

One person said: ‘Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding is a duo I didn’ t know I needed until now #GBBO. ‘

A different user put:’ Okay … Definitely wouldn’t have put Matt down in my choices, but from this … This is a duo I did not know I needed! Welcome to the Bake Off Family, @RealMattLucas! X. ‘

Another follower commented:’ Ahhhh what a wonderful choice !!! Good job @BritishBakeOff. ‘

A different account put:’ Wasn’t expecting Matt, but delighted doesn’t cover it! Can’t wait. ‘

While a different viewer added: ‘Fabulous news !! Welcome to Matt, lovely lovely person, and you and Noel are going to be a fantastic team! I am beaming already! x. ‘

A number of people had been rumored to replace Sandi on the show with Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes recently revealing that she turned down the role.

Talking to the Sunday Mirror’s Notebook magazine, she said: ‘I was asked if I wanted to be considered to take over from Sandi Toksvig on Bake Off.

‘ I can’t Think of anything I would rather do less than be in a room with a frying pan and a saucepan. I’m not interested in cooking.

‘I love being asked to supper, but to have anything to do with the preparation? It was kind of them to think of me, but no. ‘