Hammond will join Noel Fielding in hosting the popular Channel 4 baking programme.
Fielding and Sandi Toksvig took over hosting duties from previous hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc in 2017 as Bake Off moved from the BBC to Channel 4. Lucas then took over in 2020 and has hosted the previous three seasons with Fielding but announced his departure from the Bake Off tent in December 2022.
The announcement came via Hammond’s Twitter account as she posted a short video of a cake with miniature versions of herself, Fielding and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, all made out of fondant.
It’s Official!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off ! let’s have it – The cake that is 🤣 so excited @BritishBakeOff @Channel4 @PrueLeith @PaulHollywood @noelfielding11 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/IsOlzLGZPh
— Alison Hammond (@AlisonHammond) March 17, 2023
Hammond wrote: “It’s official!! It’s happening. The Great British Bake Off! Let’s have it – the cake that is. So excited.”
She also described being “absolutely thrilled” about her new gig. Hammond has previously taken part in the celebrity version of the programme in 2020.
Executive producer Kieran Smith also commented on Hammond’s appointment: “”Alison has already proved herself to be a natural on Bake Off, maybe not as a baker, but as someone who brings an infectious warmth and humour into the tent, we can’t wait for this year’s bakers to meet her and Noel.”
“Alison is much loved, effortlessly funny and the owner of the best laugh in Britain. She was a huge hit when she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off and we’re thrilled to have her back in the tent,” said Channel 4’s chief content officer Ian Katz.
