TV presenter Noel Fielding has broken his online silence amid concerns for his future on The Great British Bake Off.
The Great British Bake Off tent is reportedly buzzing with tension as host Noel’s recent health issues raise concerns about his future on the Channel 4 show. The Mighty Boosh star, 51, abruptly left an Apple TV+ series in the middle of production last month, causing Bake Off bosses to worry that his sudden departure from the streaming service’s comedy could spell trouble for their own programme.
Last year, Noel launched his own series on Apple TV+, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, which was renewed for a second season in July following glowing reviews of the initial episodes. However, the entire series has been cancelled due to Noel stepping back due to health concerns over Christmas.
Now, as filming for the new series approaches, Bake Off producers are questioning whether Noel will be well enough to return to the tent alongside Alison Hammond in a few months’ time. “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,” a source claimed.
The insider also told MailOnline that there’s “a lot riding” on Noel’s return given that Bake Off is Channel 4’s flagship show and one of the UK’s most-loved programmes. “All those involved understand this is a health matter, but contingencies have to be put in place,” they added.
Noel is yet to address the concern over his health woes but continues to be active on social media. Over the weekend, he paid his respects to the late Manchester United icon Denis Law and posted a string of music snippets on his Instagram Stories Sunday night. “Denis Law rest in peace x x x,” Noel captioned his drawing of the late footballer on Saturday.
“Hope you are doing ok Noel. Really hope you will be back on Bake Off. Whatever is wrong, take care of yourself and rest,” one fan commented underneath the post with another adding “I hope you’re doing well, my favourite goth” because comments on the post were limited. A third penned: “I hope you are ok. Take time for you. You are an awesome person and absolute ledge.”
Meanwhile, Noel’s sudden exit from “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin” due to health concerns has ruffled feathers, with the show’s second season being axed just weeks into filming. A source disclosed: “Noel has said that he can’t film anymore and so there was no choice but to stop.”
They added that pulling the plug wasn’t “taken lightly” and it was only the “extreme result” after all other avenues were “exhausted.” The insider also highlighted: “People have been very concerned about Noel’s wellbeing and given him time to recover but there are also significant repercussions.”
Furthermore, they pointed out that some are “furious” over how things panned out. Earlier this month, The Sun reported that more than 100 cast and crew members are considering suing the producers following the abrupt halt in production, which left them without work.
In a statement given to the Mirror, a spokesperson for Noel stressed that the star didn’t intend for his departure to have such drastic consequences. They said: “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.”
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