The new host of The Great British Bake Off, Noel Fielding, is a former Bucks New University student.
The Mighty Boosh star will present a new-look show alongside comedian Sandi Toksvig, TV chef Prue Leith and bread expert Paul Hollywood.
The latter is the only remaining member of the BBC team after his colleagues Penn resident Mary Berry, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit the show following the programme’s controversial switch to Channel 4.
Fielding graduated from Bucks New University in 1995 before receiving an honorary master’s degree in September last year for his continued services to art, music and comedy.
He said: “GBBO is one of my favourite shows. I’ve always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig. This is a dream come true for me!”
QI presenter Toksvig called the show a “national treasure” and said: “Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in show business. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh.
“The only down side is that he has much better dress sense than I do.”
Mainstay Paul Hollywood said he “could not be more delighted” about the newcomers.
He added: “Sandi and Noel are warm and utterly hilarious. I cannot wait to get back in the tent with the bakers.”
Leith, who was a judge on the BBC’s Great British Menu, said: “I am just so thrilled to be joining Paul, Sandi and Noel on the biggest show on TV.
“I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show – the bakers – are going to create for us.”
Channel 4’s choice of Fielding has been met with mixed reactions online but Russell Brand, who currently resides in Henley, followed the news by announcing his interest in replacing Len Goodman as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing. He tweeted:
Right. If @noelfielding11 can do Bake Off I'm replacing Len on Strictly.
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) March 17, 2017
Fielding was also a regular panellist on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, as well as appearing in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd.
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