Shortly after announcing that comedian and actor Matt Lucas would be replacing Sandi Toksvig as the show's new co-host alongside Noel Fielding, Channel 4 has halted production on The Great British Bake Off due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Channel 4 was due to start taping the 11th series of the show this spring, but has delayed filing indefinitely ‘until it is safe to film,’ a spokeswoman said in a statement.
The full statement from A Love Productions - the production company behind the hit show - reads: ‘We continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice of Public Health England and we will delay filming on The Great British Bake Off until it is safe to proceed.’
Given that the current series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C - featuring a stellar cast, from Louis Theroux to Ovie Soko - has offered a much needed light relief during these anxious times, it’s understandable that the news was met with despair from fans.
‘New season of Great British Bake Off is delayed. We truly have entered dark and uncertain times,’ one tweeted.
‘This really is the end of days now,’ another commented.
‘We’ve never needed something more than a new season of Bake Off,’ one added.
While A Love Productions has not put a time frame on the delay, Matt Lucas told BBC Radio 2 on Friday March 27 that he suspected it would be ‘a bit delayed,’ but given that Bake Off is just one in a long list of British TV shows being affected by the virus many fans are suspecting that the delay will be for months rather than weeks.
In the last two weeks alone the BBC has halted all production on its continuing dramas, meaning filming has stopped on EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City and ITV has followed suit with soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Also affected, much anticipated BBC dramas such as Peaky Blinders, Line Of Duty and reality drama Celebrity Race Across The World, which was set to begin filming in April.
Eager to get your Bake Off fix despite the news? Catch the next episode of Bake Off for SU2C on Channel 4 on Tuesday March 31 at 8pm and seasons one to seven currently streaming on Netflix UK. AsBake Off'sown Candice Brown told us, 'baking is good for mental health'; now more than ever.
READ MORE:
Great British Bake Off's Candice Brown: 'Baking Is Good For Mental Health'
Matt Lucas Will Replace Sandi Toksvig As Great British Bake Off Co-Host
Mel And Sue Nearly Resigned From Bake Off During First Day On Set