Make it happen, Channel 4 (Picture: Channel 4)

Sandi Toksvig has announced she is leaving The Great British Bake Off, leaving Noel Fielding without a co-host.

And in the minds of many fans of surreal British humour, there’s only one person for the replacement job.

GBBO viewers are calling for Richard Ayoade to replace Sandi on series 11 of Bake Off, and we’ve gotta say, we’re loving this suggestion.

as sad as i am about sandi leaving bake off now is the time for channel for to do the right thing and let richard ayoade present with noel — eloise (@fitzpIleasure) January 16, 2020


Stating the obvious here, but surely it has to be Richard Ayoade pic.twitter.com/3PKbf3FEFT — Harriet Dunlea (@HarrietDunlea) January 16, 2020

The only acceptable replacement for Sandi on #gbbo is either Richard Ayoade or Julian Barratt I'll hear nothing else — DJ Mum Jeans (@dunkel_berry) January 16, 2020

Let Richard Ayoade join Noel Fielding, I BEG you https://t.co/Kxpu3IhnbY — Beccy (@BeccyRider) January 16, 2020

Sandi Toksvig leaving #GBBO has genuinely upset me, the only thing that would make it better is if they got Richard Ayoade to do it. — Sam Randewich (@RandewichSam) January 16, 2020

Richard Ayoade is wanted by the people for #GBBO pic.twitter.com/KaWmAatokB — Jonsta (@Jonsta1990) January 16, 2020

Noel, 46, has worked with Richard, 42, on a number of shows, including The IT Crowd, on which he played Richmond opposite Ayoade’s Maurice, and Travel Man.

And the pair have become firm favourites on The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, appearing as a team eight times and usually losing thanks to their surreal joke answers.



Their last appearance on the Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2019 saw Noel and Richard name their team ‘Diminishing Returns’, with the pair losing to Dara O Briain and Maya Jama.

Considering the leftfield route Channel 4’s Bake Off has taken, Richard would definitely fit in in the tent.

Meanwhile, others want Noel to reunite with his Mighty Boosh partner Julian Barratt for the series.

Other names floating around in connection to the job include Nadiya Hussain, Caroline Quentin and Davina McCall.

Channel 4 confirmed they are looking for a replacement for Sandi.

Sandi is bidding the tent farewell (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/ Channel 4 )

The 61-year-old confirmed she was leaving the show after three years to focus on other work.

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.

‘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.’

Noel said of his co-host’s departure: ‘I feel like Tom without Jerry ! Mick without a Keef :( gonna miss yooooooooooooooooo and the wonderful times we got to play together in the tent!

‘Double acts are rare and magical beast and working with you was a pleasure x x x all my love Mr Noel x.’

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