‘I’m really going to miss your spark and big smile in the tent’: Noel Fielding penned a heartfelt ‘farewell’ to Great British Bake Off co-host Matt Lucas after the comic left the show
Noel Fielding said a heartfelt goodbye to his Great British Bake Off co-star Matt Lucas on Tuesday after the comedian decided to quit the show.
In a message posted to Instagram, The Mighty Boosh star, 49, thanked Matt, 48, for “three amazing years” and said he will miss the presenter’s “spark and huge smile”.
The Little Britain creator has co-hosted the Channel 4 show with Noel since 2020 but has decided his time on the program is over due to his heavy workload.
Best friends: Noel Fielding, 49, said a heartfelt goodbye to his Great British Bake Off co-star Matt Lucas, 48, on Tuesday after the comedian decided to quit the show
Alongside a photo of the pair, Noel wrote: “So sad that Matt Lucas is leaving the show! Farewell buddy, thanks for 3 great years.
“I will really miss your spark and big smile in the tent and I will miss your kindness as a person and towards all bakers.
“I will miss your sense of the absurd and your stupidity. I’ll miss all the times the four of us giggled together.”
Farewell: In a message on Instagram, the Mighty Boosh star thanked Matt for “three amazing years” and said he will miss the presenter’s “spark and huge smile”.
Noel continued, “I will miss your ability to transform into a fully formed character on the fly. I will miss you pretending to be Boris Johnson singing David Bowie songs and I will miss your happy nature and positive vibes.
“You are a great comic talent, but also a lovely man and a good friend. I wish you the best of luck on your next adventure and I look forward to being a fan. x See you soon in the real world, mate. Don’t forget “It’s all about the showstopper” xxx’
Earlier this week, Matt announced he had quit his role as host of The Great British Bake Off after three series.
Sweet: Alongside a photo of the pair, Noel wrote: “You are a tremendous comic talent but also a lovely man and a good friend. I wish you the best of luck on your next adventure’
In a statement, Matt cited his heavy workload as the reason he retired from Bake Off, saying he didn’t have the time to host it alongside his work on the Fantasy Football League.
He wrote: “Farewell Bake Off! It was a delicious experience and I can’t think of a more fun way to spend my summers.
“But I’ve realized that I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.
Farewell: Earlier this week Matt announced that he has stepped down from hosting The Great British Bake Off after three series (pictured with Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith)
“Well, after three series and 51 episodes, I’m happily passing the baguette on to someone else.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone at Love Productions and Channel 4 as well as Noelipops, Paul, Dame Prue, the crew and of course the wonderful bakers for welcoming me to the tent.
“I wish whoever takes over the very best and I can’t wait to get ready for the next series without already knowing who won!”
Resignation: In a statement, Matt cited his heavy workload as the reason he resigned from Bake Off
Matt joined the show in Series 11, replacing fellow comedian Sandi Toksvig, who left the program after three seasons.
Noel Fielding, who joined as co-host when Bake Off moved to Channel 4 in Series 8, will remain with the show alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
During its original broadcast on the BBC, the series was presented by Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.
Career: Matt said he didn’t have the time to host it alongside his work on the Fantasy Football League (pictured with Elis James)