Noel Fielding fully intends to host The Great British Bake Off in the Spring despite its makers preparing for his exit after he quit his Apple TV show due to ill heath, it was revealed today.
The Mighty Boosh creator, 51, is believed to be in France and has not been seen in public since he abruptly abandoned his star role on The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.
Sources at Love Productions, who make the Bake Off for Channel 4 have said that ‘nothing is set in stone’ about Noel returning to host the reality series alongside Alison Hammond, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith from April.
But today his agent hit back and insisted: ‘We can confirm he will be returning to co-host the next series of Bake Off.
‘There has been absolutely no discussion about Noel stepping down.
‘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’, the spokesman told the Evening Standard.
Despite this, there are reports that Mr Fielding’s team are in ‘crisis talks’ with bosses about his future on the show.
His decision to quit The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, of which he was the star, sparked fears about his health.
His spokesman said last week that it was ‘a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health’ with comedian looking exhausted in his last Instagram photo on January 1.
Bake Off presenter Noel Fielding intends to return to the show, his agent has said amid rumours his future could be in doubt
Love Productions, the makers of the Channel 4 baking show, which begins filming its next series in April, are said to be concerned for the star’s future and are drawing up contingency plans if Noel, 51, is forced to withdraw from the series
It comes as he pulled out of filming Apple TV’s The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, in which he stars as the titular highwayman (pictured in show)
Today he took to Instagram to share a drawing of footballer Denis Law, who died last week.
Love Productions, the makers of the Bake Off, which begins filming its next series in April, are said to be concerned for the star’s future and are drawing up contingency plans if Noel, 51, is forced to withdraw from the series.
An insider said: ‘Everyone at Love Productions was, of course, worried to learn about Noel’s ill health, and will do everything they can to support him.
‘Nothing is set in stone, but they are preparing for every possible outcome and have plans in place if Noel is unable to continue as host on series 16.’
Noel pulled out of Apple TV’s The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.
After a successful first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming for a second series took place at the end of last year.
But when filming was set to resume after the Christmas holidays, cast and crew were told it had been axed three-quarters of the way into the shoot.
Insiders said Noel, who played the lead role of the legendary highwayman, was unavailable for scheduled and rescheduled filming dates.
Cast and crew were told this week it has been scrapped due to ‘the illness of a key cast member’.
A spokesperson for Noel told the Mail: ‘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.’
It is understood that the presenter is recuperating in France.
A source close to the show told The Times: ‘Noel has said that he can’t film any more and so there was no choice but to stop.
‘It’s not a decision that was taken lightly and they wouldn’t have got to this extreme result if every possible solution hadn’t been exhausted.
After a successful first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming for a second series began at the end of last year. But when it was set to resume after Christmas, cast and crew were told it had been axed three-quarters of the way into the shoot
‘People have been very concerned about Noel’s wellbeing and given him time to recover but there are also significant repercussions. Some people are furious.’
There is reportedly frustration from the cast and crew that all their hard efforts will not be seen on screens.
But Apple and production company Big Talk are working to ensure that people are paid for work delivered on the show.
Stars who had signed up for series two included Jason Isaacs, Dawn French, Miranda Richardson, and Jamie and Natasia Demetriou.
It comes after reports the cast and crew working on the show are planning to sue the show’s makers after it was axed.
It has been reported that Noel didn’t return after Christmas and now more than 100 are considering a class action lawsuit against the makers of the Apple TV+ comedy.
They report that because Noel is also a co-writer and executive producer he is likely to be sued too.
The publication claims he left for France before the team learned of the shock axing news and has not been seen in public since.
There is reportedly frustration from the cast and crew that all their hard efforts will not be seen on screens and are planning to sue the show’s makers after it was axed
Noel has presented Bake Off since it moved to Channel 4 in 2017, co-hosting with Sandi Toksvig and later Matt Lucas (pictured with Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Sandi in 2019)
Back in 2021 the star sparked concern after he suddenly disappeared halfway through an episode of the Channel 4 show with a mystery illness
A source said: ‘Axing a show halfway through production is virtually unheard of – plus there’s a mystery over just what has happened. It’s left bosses of other shows he is on feeling extremely nervous.
‘Plus he’ll have to contend with any legal action. It will be a difficult few months for him.’
Noel has presented Bake Off since it moved to Channel 4 in 2017, co-hosting with Sandi Toksvig and later Matt Lucas.
Co-host Matt told viewers: ‘Okay Bakers, Noel is feeling a little under the weather, but we’re going to carry on…’ as he took on the duties solo for the last 10 minutes of the show.
