The Great British Baking Show is at a crossroads. Yesterday, co-host Matt Lucas announced he would be quitting the show after three years. Lucas, best known for his work on the shows Little Britain and Doctor Who, struggled to find a great rhythm with established co-star Noel Fielding. Furthermore, he had a habit of turning the time calls into dreadfully unfunny bits that only ratcheted up the tension for the bakers. Needless to say, many Bake Off fans are rejoicing over his resignation and assuming that Love Productions will replace him with someone better suited to the tent. But who?
Let’s say that Noel Fielding is committed to sticking around the tent for another few seasons. Which UK-based presenter has the chops, comedy style, and star power to work well in tandem with The Mighty Boosh alum? Fielding has mellowed his hosting style over the years, but he does have a penchant for encouraging madness in the tent. He needs someone capable of sticking to the brief when he’s feeling rebellious. Moreover, most of the complaints about Lucas had to do with the fact that he prioritized his comedy bits over offering support to the bakers. Matt’s replacement should ideally put the bakers first. They should be the contestants’ cheerleaders and confidants. Most of all, whoever replaces Matt Lucas should be fun.
An obvious pick might be Noel’s Mighty Boosh buddy Julian Barrett, but we think Noel needs a sunnier wavelength in the tent. Another favorite could be Noel’s frequent Big Fat Quiz partner Richard Ayoade, but considering he’s recently stepped back from his own Travel Man…we’re guessing he’s not stoked about presenting right now. And no rising British comedy star is as synonymous with Bake Off than James “Total Meltdown/Bon Appétit” Acaster. While we’re huge fans of Acaster, he has built an entire bit in his standup about how his experience on The Great British Baking Show traumatized him. Moreover, a lot of his humor is based in righteous indignation. Maybe not the energy the tent needs?
There’s a ton of talented British comics who are more than capable of saying the words, “On your marks, get set, bake!” The question is who can add a much-needed burst of sunshine to The Great British Baking Show‘s current gloomy era? Here are just five folks we’d like to see replace Matt Lucas in The Great British Baking Show tent…
1
Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond is one of the UK’s most ebullient TV presenters, known for her infectious joy and ability to charm even the most curmudgeony celebs. (Her interview with Harrison Ford went viral, for instance.) Hammond has the chops to keep up with the rigors of hosting Bake Off and she has a noted interest in the show. She’s just one of many British TV personalities whose participated in a celeb Bake Off special for charity. However, as you can see, Hammond took the briefs (mostly) seriously. She’d be a fun foil for Noel’s goth vibe and I bet she’d be great at perking the bakers up.
2
Joe Lycett
Joe Lycett is one of the most popular comics in the UK today and with good reason. He’s a sharp stand up comic with a cheeky, sweet style that has led to Lycett hosting many a popular show. He recently took over Travel Man from Richard Ayoade and has hosted the Bake Off adjacent Great British Sewing Bee in the past. He, too, has duked it out in the tent for charity, though with far less confidence than Alison Hammond. Lycett knows how to balance jokes with the job of boosting contestants up.
3
Siobhan McSweeney
Like Lycett, Derry Girls alum Siobhan McSweeney has both competed on Bake Off and hosted a Love Productions reality show. McSweeney has been charming fans of The Great Pottery Throw Down for (almost) two seasons now. The Irish actress brings her infectious sense of humor to her hosting duties as well as real compassion for the contestants. Just watch how she has to ruefully tell a blindfolded potter that she can’t help her pick something up…but she does help her return to her stool. The only hiccup is McSweeney might not have time to host both shows.
4
Ellie Taylor
When Siobhan McSweeney shattered her leg in a biking accident last year, Ted Lasso star, comic, writer, and actress Ellie Taylor subbed in for her on The Great Pottery Throw Down and was GREAT. So much so that I came away from her episodes convinced she had the juice to turn Bake Off around. She’s fun, friendly, and most of all, committed to elongating her time calls to save the contestants’ skin. She is like the anti-Matt Lucas. Ergo just what The Great British Baking Show needs. (She also has great style. Noel might actually have some competition on the fashion front?)
5
Sarah Millican
So I simply had to put Sarah Millican on this list for reasons. The hysterically funny Geordie comic has been a staple of British panel shows for years, charming us with her witty improvs and self-deprecating humor. Millican also has a brand of humor that recalls the likes of Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. If The Great British Baking Show wants to infuse the current series with some old school vibes, it wouldn’t hurt to cast a new co-host who would evoke those halcyon days when Mary Berry was still judging. Not only that, but Millican is incredibly funny. She’d def be able to keep up with Noel in the tent.
