Noel Fielding responds to co-host Matt Lucas quitting Bake Off: ‘I’ll really miss your spark’

Noel Fielding has responded to his co-host Matt Lucas quitting The Great British Bake Off after three years.

The comedian, who has hosted the popular Channel 4 show alongside Fielding for three series, explained he was leaving as he could no longer commit to the programme’s schedule alongside his other projects, including his new hosting role on the revived comedy show Fantasy Football League on Sky Max.

In light of the news, Fielding thanked Lucas “for three amazing years” and reeled off everything he would miss about the 48-year-old.

The Mighty Boosh star, 49, wrote on Instagram: “I will really miss your spark and huge smile in the tent and I will miss your kindness as a person and to all the bakers.

“I will miss your sense of the absurd and your silliness. I will miss all the times the four of us giggled together. I will miss your ability to turn into a fully-formed character at the drop of a hat.

“I will miss you pretending to be Boris Johnson singing David Bowie songs and I will miss your upbeat nature and positive vibes.”

Fielding hailed Lucas as “a huge comic talent but also a lovely man and a good friend”, adding: “I wish you luck on your next adventure and look forward to watching as a fan. See you in the real world soon buddy.”

It is currently unknown who will replace Lucas, who himself replaced Sandi Toksvig during the show’s 11th series in 2019, but many are hoping it could lead to a fun reunion.

On Tuesday, Lucas announced on Instagram that he was stepping down from his presenting role on GBBO.

He wrote: “Farewell Bake Off! It’s been a delicious experience and I can’t imagine a more fun way of spending my summers.

“But it’s become clear to me that I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects. So, after three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else.

The presenter also praised his team, adding: “I would like to give my warmest thanks and gratitude to everyone at Love Productions and Channel 4 and to Noelipops, Paul, Dame Prue, the crew and, of course, the wonderful bakers for welcoming me into the tent.

“I wish whoever takes over all the very best and I can’t wait to tune into the next series without already knowing who won! xxx Matt”.

Following Bake Off’s move to Channel 4 from the BBC in 2017, Fielding and Toksvig took over as presenters from Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.

Toksvig announced her departure from the show in 2020 and was later replaced by Lucas.

Lucas and Fielding have been paired together for the past three series alongside Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith as the show’s judges.