Great British Bake Off stars confirm epic return to show after Matt Lucas’ Channel 4 exit
BELOVED Bake Off stars have confirmed their return to the Channel 4 show following Matt Lucas’ departure.
The Great British Bake Off‘s New Year’s special lineup has now officially been confirmed – with Lottie Bedlow and Chigs Parmer among the contestants coming back to the tent.
Lottie, 33 from the 2020 series and 2021 finalist Chigs, 41 will be joined by Manon Legrève and Antony Amourdoux from the 2018 series.
Lottie announced the news of her participation via Instagram stories just hours after the news that presenter Matt Lucas will be leaving the show.
Alongside a picture of herself in the famous tent, Lottie wrote: “No I’m not the new Bake Off presenter… but I am back in the tent for the NY special! (if @channel4 are listening though I will 100% take the hosting job).”
Chigs also shared a photo of the foursome together on Instagram and wrote: “Guess who’s back in the tent for The Great New Year’s Bake Off. Getting the opportunity to be in the Bake Off tent once is a dream come true, but baking in it twice.”
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While, Manon wrote: “Wow it was an experience to be back in the tent after 4 years! But what a blast I had, and it was amazing to see the team again. Now, you are going to have to guess whether I did well for Paul & @prueleith!”
Antony added: “In for one last hurrah in the very coveted British Tent w. Some fab bakers.”
Matt announced his departure as Bake Off co-host earlier this week, leaving fans devastated.
Revealing on social media that he was quitting the show, the comedian wrote: “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 I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside my other projects.”
He went on to send his “warmest thanks and gratitude” to his cast mates Noel Fielding, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, adding: “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.”
Following the news, the show shared its own goodbye message for him on Twitter.
“We’ve loved having Matt Lucas brighten up our Tent for the last three years, especially when laughter and smiles were so much in need,” the message read.
“We appreciate everything he’s done for Bake Off, from working in Covid bubbles to supporting the bakers. It’s been a pleasure – thanks Matt.”
The special will air on New Year’s Day at 7.40pm on Channel 4. The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 in the UK.