Sandi Toksvig will be leaving The Great British Bake Off after three years on the show, she announced this morning.
The 61-year-old presenter made the shock announcement on Thursday, telling fans she would not be returning alongside Noel Fielding, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith in the next instalment of the Channel 4 show.
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Speaking about her decision to leave, Sandi said: "When stepping down from a job it is quite common for people to say they are doing so in order to spend more time with their family.
"Unusually I am departing from the Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work. As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.
"Spending time with Prue, Paul and Noel has been one of the great pleasures of my life. These are friendships which I know will continue beyond the confines of television."
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She went on to add: "Bake Off is a wonderful programme which has already proved it can happily withstand a change of hosting personnel.
"The reason for that, of course, is that the true stars of the show are the bakers themselves. I wish everyone well."
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It is not yet known who will be replacing the beloved presenter on the show, but Channel 4 has confirmed that the hunt is currently on to find a replacement that can fill her shoes.
"Candidates must have experience of mopping up spills and the occasional tear, making tea and keeping the amateur bakers to time. More information will be announced in due course," they joked.
During her time on Bake Off, Sandi witnessed a whopping 51 showstoppers being cooked.
Chief Creative Officer and Executive Producer for Love Productions Richard McKerrow said: "We'll always be incredibly grateful to Sandi for becoming one of the hosts of Bake Off when we moved to Channel 4, along with Noel, Paul and Prue.
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"She has contributed hugely to Bake Off over the last three years, with her sharp witty sense of humour and her passionate commitment to the dozens of bakers during her time in the tent. We wish her all the very best on the exciting projects she is currently working on and beyond."
Meanwhile, her co-star Noel Fielding took to his own social media to share a delightfully weird message of his own.
"I feel like Tom without Jerry ! Mick without Keef !," he wrote.
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"I'm gonna miss you Sandi and our strange and magical double act. it's been a joy to hang out and muck about in the Tent with you. thank you for 3 wonderful years !
"You will always be my favourite Ewok Viking ! (sic)"
We'll miss you, Sandi!
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4Topics: The Great Bake Off, GBBO
