‘The Great British Baking Show’ on Netflix: Get To Know Host Noel Fielding, the Giddy Goth of British Comedy

One of the coolest things about The Great British Baking Show is how it has introduced American audiences to the quirkier pockets of British life. I’m talking about the Brits’ obsession with hard biscuits, meat pies, and of course, oddball alternative comics like host Noel Fielding.

Noel Fielding and co-host Sandi Toksvig joined the series when The Great British Baking Show moved from BBC to Channel 4 in the UK. Original co-hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc declined to leave the show’s original network, leaving hosting duties to the giddy goth Fielding and sharply witty Toksvig.

Noel Fielding is something of a 21st Century comedy icon in the United Kingdom, and it’s hard to watch a major quiz show from the last 15 years that wasn’t buoyed by his effervescently weird sense of humor. From the heydays of super cool alt rock panel show Nevermind the Buzzcocks to the annual Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Fielding is an omnipresent force in British comedy. However, his best known work is his own comedy troupe/stage show/radio show/TV series, The Mighty Boosh.

The Mighty Boosh is a comedy act started by Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt in 1998. Barratt and Fielding play oddball zookeepers Howard Moon and Vince Noir, and originally shows were comprised of sketches, often contained in their own elaborate universe. After a few successful runs at Edinburgh Fringe, The Mighty Boosh became a radio series for BBC Radio. That, in turn, lead to a successful TV series: an absurdist romp that defied logic in favor of hilarity and style. You can stream all seasons of The Mighty Boosh on Hulu.

In the ’00s, Fielding also appeared in a variety of other shows in supporting and guest roles. Most famously, he played the ultra goth Richmond in the popular British workplace sitcom The I.T. Crowd (which you can stream on Netflix). However, Fielding and Barratt continue to tour as The Mighty Boosh, which has lead to some hilarious road stories. One of which, Fielding shared on an appearance on Conan a few years back.

Since landing a co-hosting gig on The Great British Baking Show, Fielding’s image has undoubtedly evolved. He’s now no-longer just one of the many rebels of the alt comedy circuit, but a symbol of quirky calm. He’s definitely one of the most goofily supportive voices to enter the tent, even if the gig emphasizes kindness over comedy.

Nevertheless, Noel Fielding is one of the funniest comedians in Great Britain. I dare you to watch him re-enact Kate Bush’s famous “Wuthering Heights” music video for 2011’s Let’s Dance for Comic Relief without literally laughing. It is Fielding in a nutshell: bizarre, gothic, and unabashedly sweet.

A new episode of The Great British Baking Show is now streaming on Netflix.

Watch The Great British Baking Show on Netflix

Where to stream The Mighty Boosh

Where to stream The I.T. Crowd