Great British Bake Off fans can’t decide if Noel Fielding’s casting is ‘lunacy or genius’
The Great British Bake Off viewers are split over Channel 4's choice of hosts for the new series, questioning whether it is "lunacy or genius".
Presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding will host the new-look show, which has moved from the BBC after it was sold by Love Productions last year.
They are taking over from previous presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, while Prue Leith replaces long-standing judge Mary Berry.
News of the new signings was trending on Twitter shortly after they were announced, with many loyal fans of the programme surprised at comedian Fielding landing the role.
Noel @noelfielding11 is going to present the Great British Bake Off i dont know whether to cry! is it lunacy or genius #booshbakeoff
— B-sidemyself (@Julespestano) March 16, 2017
Noel Fielding hosting bake off. Speechless.
— Adam Chapman (@its_adxmc) March 17, 2017
Noel fielding and Sandi Toksvig? Not a combo for bakeoff I would have expected.
— Peter (@pmowlds) March 17, 2017
Noel Fielding to be the new Bake Off host fills me with many different feelings! Mostly confusing over his being paired with Sandi Toksvig?!
— Michelle B (@pintsizedMB) March 17, 2017
Some were unimpressed at Fielding’s appointment as a presenter
Channel 4 trying to replace 'quirky' Sue and Mel with Noel Fielding is an awful decision for Great British Bake Off!
— Natasha Sidwell (@Tiddles_21) March 16, 2017
"Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig to present the Great British Bake Off on Channel 4....no, skip that, Lynn, that's terrible. Awful idea." pic.twitter.com/I88P1Zyzgp
— Pointless Letters (@pointlesslettrs) March 16, 2017
#GBBO so won't be watching it again. I can't stand Noel fielding he not even funny.
— Lisa Boulton (@LisaDB76) March 16, 2017
Ugh no I can't stand Noel Fielding... Definitely won't be watching Bake Off on C4 😞😭
— Alice Magee (@AliceMagee) March 16, 2017
Noel Fielding Bake Off sounds like one of the worst ideas in the history of television.
— Huw Davies (@thehuwdavies) March 16, 2017
Fifteen To One and QI host Toksvig said she is honoured to be part of "this national treasure of a show".
She added: "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 that I do ."
Former The Mighty Boosh star Fielding said: "GBBO is one of my favourite shows.
"I've always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It's basically the double."
Paul Hollywood, who will return as a judge, said he "could not be more delighted" about the show's newcomers.
He said: "Prue is a hugely respected culinary legend and Sandi and Noel are warm and utterly hilarious. I cannot wait to get back in the tent with the bakers."
Leith, who formerly appeared as 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 and I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show - the bakers - are going to create for us.
"It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team."
Jay Hunt, Channel 4's chief creative officer, said the baking show will air this autumn and described the line-up as "innovative".
Berry quit her role on the Bake Off last year after it was revealed the BBC had lost out to the highest bidders for the rights to broadcast the programme.
Giedroyc and Perkins, who injected a comedy element to the show with their witty puns, also stood down, leaving bread expert Hollywood as the only original Bake Off star to make the channel move.
Additional reporting by the Press Association