Channel 4 is said to be in ‘crisis talks’ following the unexpected departure of Noel Fielding from his Apple TV Plus project, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, during its second series filming. The comedian, who is also expected to return to The Great British Bake Off this spring with new co-host Alison Hammond, left the production due to health reasons, leading to the show’s cancellation.
A source revealed to The Sun that there are concerns over whether Noel will be able to resume his role on Bake Off, stating: “Time is of the essence because bosses need a degree of certainty about who will be fronting Bake Off. So much has to be put in place long before the cameras start rolling and producers are already geared up, ready to go.
“It is Channel 4’s most-watched show, and is still one of the most popular in the UK, so there’s a lot riding on this. All those involved understand this is a health matter, but contingencies have to be put in place.”
The situation arose after Noel did not return to set following the Christmas break. A spokesperson for Noel Fielding told MailOnline: “This is a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health.
“We are saddened by the decision to cease production but we cannot make any further comment on this matter”, reports the Express.
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A spokesperson for Noel clarified: “There has been absolutely no discussion about Noel stepping down from Bake Off.
“We have been in contact with Channel 4 and Love Productions throughout all the speculation and his ‘stepping down’ has never been part of that dialogue. We can confirm he will be returning to co-host the next series of Bake Off.”
Noel’s first outing with The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin received a warm reception from both viewers and critics, boasting a star-studded cast including Hugh Bonneville, Tamsin Greig, and Joe Wilkinson.
He has been a part of The Great British Bake Off since 2017, when the popular show transitioned from the BBC to Channel 4. During his tenure, Noel has worked alongside Sandi Toksvig and Matt Lucas, who have both since left the show, while Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith continue to serve as head judges.
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