The nation’s favourite Alison Hammond announced as new host of Bake Off

Presenter Alison Hammond has been announced as the new host of The Great British Bake Off, replacing Matt Lucas.

The Big Brother star and popular media personality was set to stand in for comedian Lucas but has since confirmed that she will take over as host on the hit baking competition show after revealing she has signed up with Channel 4.

Alison shared, 48, a video of her and her new colleagues — presenter Noel Fielding, and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith — as the four were presented together as sugary figurines on top of a Bake Off inspired cake.

This Morning’s Alison narrated a mock press conference in the video clip posted on her Instagram account @alisonhammond55, as she said: “Breaking news everyone.

“Alison Hammond is joining the team of the Great British Bake Off. Alison, have you got any words whatsoever?”

Zooming in on her figurine she said: “Do you know what I’m just so very excited. As you can see, all my colleagues are absolutely speechless. We’re so very happy and we can’t wait to get started!”

The star captioned her video: “It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off ! Let’s have it! The cake that is #GBBO 2023 @britishbakeoff @noel_fielding @prueleith @channel4 @paul.hollywood”

Prue Leith commented: “Huge congratulations Alison, you will be magnificent and I can’t wait for your infectious laugh to be ringing through the ten.”

Noel Fielding also said : “ Congratulations and Welcome to the tent lovely !! We are gonna have an absolute blast together. I can’t wait. I’m buzzing. Two naughty kids together 🙂 x x x.x The bakers will love you x.”

And Paul Hollywood said “welcome” with an applause emoji, writing: “See you on [sic] the tent.” Other fans also congratulated her on social media. Alison shot to fame in 2002 when she became a housemate in the third show of reality tv series, Big Brother. She was the second housemate to be evicted.

Known for her infectious sense of humour, she has previously left her mark on the Bake Off tent, taking part in the celebrity version for Stand Up To Cancer in 2020. Judge, Hollywood, praised her efforts for the biscuits she made but compared her baking skills to those of a five-year-old.

Channel 4’s chief content officer Ian Katz said: “Alison is much loved, effortlessly funny and the owner of the best laugh in Britain. She was a huge hit when she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off and we’re thrilled to have her back in the tent.”