‘The Great British Baking Show’ Names the Delightful Alison Hammond as Matt Lucas’s Replacement

By Meghan O'Keefe @megsokay
Published March 17, 2023, 10:35 a.m. ET

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It is a day of great rejoicing for Great British Baking Show fans. British presenter Alison Hammond has confirmed on Instagram that she will be joining The Great British Baking Show this summer. Hammond is replacing former co-host Matt Lucas, who left the show to pursue other opportunities. She and Noel Fielding will share co-hosting duties in the Bake Off tent while Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will continue on as the show’s judges.

Hammond announced the news in a short Instagram video where she zoomed in on a cake version of the Bake Off tent, complete with fondant sculptures of Paul, Prue, Noel, and herself. In voiceover, the British broadcaster said, “This is breaking news, Alison Hammond is joining the team of The Great British Bake Off.” (The show is known as The Great British Bake Off everywhere except the U.S. and Canada, where the phrase “Bake Off” is owned by Pillsbury. Hence why we call it The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.)

Hammond is a great pick for the popular baking competition show as she is known for her warm, fun, bubbly personality. You might best know her as the peppy British interviewer who cracked Harrison Ford’s curmudgeon act during his Blade Runner 2049 press tour. She’s actually competed in the Bake Off tent for a celebrity charity event, where she charmed everyone with her trademark humor.

Coincidentally, after Matt Lucas announced he was leaving The Great British Baking Show, Decider published a list of our top five picks to replace him and Alison Hammond was our top choice. We think she’ll bring a much-needed dose of kindness to the tent and that her bright and sunny disposition will be a great foil to Noel Fielding’s “giddy goth” persona.

Fielding seems to agree! The comic commented on Hammond’s post: “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”

A new season of The Great British Baking Show will film in the UK this summer and premiere on Netflix later this fall.