Alison Hammond is officially taking over as co-host of the Great British Bake Off after Matt Lucas stepped down from the legendary tent.
The British TV icon will be joining comedian Noel Fielding this summer as another batch of amateur bakers attempt to whip up breads, cakes and biscuits, under the steely gaze of judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
Alison confirmed the news on her own Instagram this morning, writing: “It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off ! Let’s have it ! The cake that is.”
She shared a video of herself interviewing figurines of the new GBBO presenter line-up, joking that her fellow celebrities were ‘speechless’.
She added in the video that she was ‘absolutely thrilled’ and ‘so very excited’ to be joining the hugely popular Channel 4 reality show.
Alison is no stranger to the Bake Off tent – she had her own stab at it back in 2020 when she took part in the celebrity version for Stand Up To Cancer.
During that time, she lost her oven door, made a biscuit police station (sort of…) and generally cackled her way through the whole ordeal.
Alison Hammond on the celebrity version of the Great British Bake Off. Credit: Channel 4
So the news of Alison’s return to the Great British Bake Off has delighted just about everyone, after the co-host spot was left open by Matt Lucas.
Prue Leith wrote: “Huge congratulations Alison, you will be magnificent and I can’t wait for your infectious laugh to be ringing through the tent.”
Former GBBO winner Rahul Mandal said: “How super exciting is that. Congrats. I so want to go back in the tent now, to experience your presence and chemistry with Noel and Paul and Prue.”
Channel 4 posted on Twitter: “This is more exciting than a cream horn for breakfast. Can’t wait to welcome you to the tent.”
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz, said: “Alison is much loved, effortlessly funny and the owner of the best laugh in Britain. She was a huge hit when she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off and we’re thrilled to have her back in the tent.”
Featured image: Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Honorary Manc Ariana Grande announces huge world tour – but skips Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Ariana Grande has announced details of a huge world tour, but the honorary Mancunian will be skipping Manchester again.
The 32-year-old, Grammy Award-winning star has instead booked five nights at The O2 in London for her only UK stop on the tour.
Ariana Grande was made an honorary Mancunian back in 2017, in recognition of her work following the Manchester Arena terror attack.
She is the first person to have ever received this honour.
Since the atrocity in the city, which took the lives of 22 people, Ariana has only performed here twice more – once at the One Love concert she organised as a fundraiser for the victims and their families, and once as a headliner of Manchester Pride.
It’s been six years since her last tour, but Ariana Grande is now back, sharing details of her hotly-anticipated The Eternal Sunshine Tour next summer.
As well as her five-night residency in London, she’ll play four nights in LA and Brooklyn, as well as cities right across North America.
Ariana Grande has announced The Eternal Sunshine Tour
Her London dates will be her only European shows on The Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Eternal Sunshine was released in 2024 and was her seventh studio album, spawning singles ‘Yes, And?’, ‘We Can’t Be Friends’, and ‘The Boy Is Mine’.
Ariana Grande is now also an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated actress thanks to her starring role in Wicked as Glinda the Good Witch.
Tickets for her tour will go on sale from Tuesday 16 September with an artist presale as well as an O2 Priority Presale. Remaining tickets will be available during the general ons-ale beginning Thursday 18 September at 10am.
Ariana Grande – The Eternal Sunshine Tour Dates 2026
BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in brand-new show
Emily Sergeant
Outspoken Mancs are being urged to apply to take part in a new BBC show where they share their hottest TV takes.
We all have opinions when it comes to television, right? Whether it be which show had the best and worst ending, which characters deserved better arcs, or which shows are the most underrated – you name it, someone will have an opinion on it.
Some people, however, like to broadcast or shout about their options a little louder than others do… and it’s these people the BBC is looking to speak to.
The broadcaster is currently in the process of casting for a new digital pilot called People Watching that will give people from across the UK a chance to share their hottest TV takes, straight from the comfort of their own sofa, and is looking for outspoken people from across Greater Manchester to talk the talk and take part.
The BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in a brand-new show / Credit: CoWomen (via Pexels)
A casting call for the new show on the BBC website reads: “Subtitles on or off? What would your winning strategy be on The Traitors? And what is the most overrated show ever made?
“If you have a big personality, an interesting living room, or are part of a household group who love a binge watch – we want to hear from you.”
People Watching is being produced for the BBC by BBC Socials, which likely means it’ll be a show primarily made for online audiences.
To apply to feature on the show, you’ll need to be 18 years old or over, and you must be willing to allow the BBC to film in your home.
Applicants will need to send casting directors a short ‘expression of interest’ in the form of a paragraph or video link, telling them a bit about yourself, your favourite BBC show, and most importantly, your most controversial TV opinion.
The closing date for applications is 1 October 2025, and you can apply by sending an email to [email protected]
Daisy Jackson -
17th March 2023 
