The Heat's Back On!

Noel Fielding joins sandi Toksvig as the cookery contest comes to Channel 4

- Sarah Selwood

After being poached from the BBC to the shock of the nation, much-loved cookery contest The Great British Bake Off makes its debut on Channel 4 this week.

The show is back in the familiar white tent, but has a new presenting team of Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, who replace Mel and Sue, while original judge Paul Hollywood is joined by cook Prue Leith, who takes over from Mary Berry.

We met up with Fielding to talk all things Bake Off…

Were you surprised when you were offered the presenting role?

I think Channel 4 was looking for this kind of show for me for some time. Not an out and out comedy, but something where I could be ‘charming’. It was a mistake, obviously, and an admin error. I think I got it via the back door because of Sandi. We’ve worked together on QI and get on really well.