Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bake Off: Tom Allen replaces Noel Fielding for Christmas specials

Two episodes will air over the festive season

Isobel Lewis
Thursday 26 November 2020 10:48 EST
Comments
Peter Sawkins wins The Great British Bake Off 2020

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Noel Fielding will be replaced by Tom Allen during this year’s The Great British Bake Off Christmas special.

The comedian has hosted the cookery competition series since it moved to Channel 4 in 2017, and was joined by Little Britain star Matt Lucas for the latest series.

However, Fielding will not appear on the show’s forthcoming festive specials after his paternity leave coincided with the filming.

Instead, Lucas, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will be joined by Tom Allen, a stand-up comedian and host of Bake Off: The Professionals and companion show Extra Slice.

Two episodes of Bake Off will air this Christmas, with former contestants James Hillery, Ruby Bhogal, Rosie Brandreth-Poynter and Jamie Finn going head to head in the first to be named Christmas Star Baker. 

The episode will also feature a performance by Alexandra Burke.

In the New Year special, Nancy Birtwhistle, Rahul Mandal, Helena Garcia and Henry Bird will all return to the tent for a second time.

News of the festive specials follow just days after Peter Sawkins was named the winner of The Great British Bake Off 2020, after beating Dave Friday and Laura Adlington to the title.

Aged just 20, university student Sawkins is the show’s youngest ever winner.

Read our review of the final here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in