Sandi Toksvig has announced she is leaving hugely popular cooking show The Great British Bake Off after three years.
Sandi Toksvig to focus on other projects
Toksvig is leaving the show to focus on other work projects. This includes hosting the forthcoming Channel 4 series The Write Offs, which looks at the issue of adult literacy.
“When stepping down from a job it is quite common for people to say they are doing so in order to spend more time with their family”, Toksvig said.
“Unusually I am departing from the Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work”.
The show tweeted that the upcoming series of The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off will mark the end of Toksvig’s stint on the show.
All pud things come to an end. The upcoming series of The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off will mark the end of Sandi’s magnificent stint as a presenter on the show. We would like to thank her for all the wonderful memories and wish her the very best for the future. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/aEnEu00fqu
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 16, 2020
Foodie friendships
“As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.
“Spending time with Prue, Paul and Noel has been one of the great pleasures of my life.
“These are friendships which I know will continue beyond the confines of television.
“Bake Off is a wonderful programme which has already proved it can happily withstand a change of hosting personnel.
“The reason for that, of course, is that the true stars of the show are the bakers themselves. I wish everyone well.”
Chief Creative Officer and Executive Producer for Love Productions Richard McKerrow said: “We’ll always be incredibly grateful to Sandi for becoming one of the hosts of Bake Off when we moved to Channel 4, along with Noel, Paul and Prue.
Sharp wit and humour
“She has contributed hugely to Bake Off over the last three years, with her sharp witty sense of humour and her passionate commitment to the dozens of bakers during her time in the tent.
“We wish her all the very best on the exciting projects she is currently working on and beyond.”
Ian Katz, Director of Programmes at Channel 4 said: “Sandi is a huge part of why Bake Off’s move to Channel 4 has been such a success. We are immensely grateful for her contribution to the show.
“We will miss her warmth and wit, not to mention her endless willingness to be the butt of jokes about being the least tall person in the Bake Off tent. Fortunately, her unique voice will continue to have an important presence on the Channel with new shows in development – none of which involve cake.”
The hunt is currently on for a new face to join Noel, Paul and Prue in the tent. Candidates must have experience of mopping up spills and the occasional tear, making tea and keeping the amateur bakers to time. More information will be announced in due course.