Why Was Alison Hammond Missing From ‘The Great British Baking Show’ Semi-Finals?

Something very important was missing this week on The Great British Baking Show. No, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith still showed up to put the four remaining bakers through the emotional wringer for kicks. Noel Fielding was there, gamely taking goth jokes flung his way. Even the spirit of camaraderie — that delightful energy that inspires the competing bakers to help each other out during a struggling baker’s worst moments — was there! So what was missing from The Great British Baking Show “Patisserie Week” on Netflix? Alison Hammond.

Yes, everyone’s favorite new addition to The Great British Baking Show was weirdly missing during the all-important Semi-Finals.

So where was Alison Hammond this week on The Great British Baking Show? What sort of illness waylaid her from her in-person hosting duties? And will Alison return for next week’s all-important season finale of The Great British Baking Show? Here’s what you need about why Alison was missing from The Great British Baking Show…

Where is Alison Hammond on The Great British Baking Show “Patisserie Week” on Netflix? Why is Alison Missing?

If you queued up the latest episode of The Great British Baking Show on Netflix during this fine holiday weekend, you might have noticed up top that Noel Fielding was flying solo. As he points out from the jump, Alison Hammond was absent from the tent because she was feeling “poorly.” This was once again the reason why she didn’t show up for the Showstopper Challenge.

Essentially, Alison was ill and could not make it to The Great British Baking Show tent. This isn’t the first time sickness has kept a host from the tent, nor is it the first sick day logged this season on The Great British Baking Show. You’ll remember Tasha Stones had to go home early during Week 4.

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Alison has remained mum on what exactly her illness was, but she did take to Instagram to promote this week’s episode, in between making headlines for calling out British rock star Cliff Richards for his shockingly fat-phobic comments about an aging Elvis Presley this week.

All of which is to say Alison is doing much better now, folks. She made a full recovery. But does that mean she will be well enough to appear in next week’s final?

Will Alison Hammond Be Back on The Great British Baking Show Next Week for the Finals?

We know the answer to this burning question and it is a resounding yes!

Even though Alison had to sit out and rest up during The Great British Baking Show “Patisserie Week,” she will be in fighting form next week. Decider has gotten eyeballs on the official British preview of the finale and — as you can see from the image above — Alison will make it back to the tent in time to crown a new winner of The Great British Baking Show.

So who will win The Great British Baking Show? That we don’t have spoilers for, yet. You’ll just have to watch The Great British Baking Show‘s final episode of the year when it premieres on Netflix next Friday, December 1.