Richard Ayoade Contends for Role as Host of Great British Bake Off

A Great British Bake Off update has arrived in the form of a potential new cast member: former IT Crowd star Richard Ayoade is reportedly a contender in the quest to fill the vacancy left by hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins in The Great British Bake Off’s forthcoming jump from the BBC to Channel 4, Vulture reports.

The beloved baking show has been through the ringer in the last month, first with the departure of Giedroyc and Perkins — better known as Mel and Sue — and later with the announcement that judge Mary Berry would remain with the BBC instead of sticking with the show during its switch, which will happen in 2017 after the current season ends.

The wave of departures left questions over the show’s viability, and now, in efforts to revitalize fans’ interest in and hope for the GBBO, Channel 4 is exploring its options for new hosts who may be able to hold a candle to Mel and Sue. Ayoade is the apparent frontrunner for the position, The Sun reports, to join Paul Hollywood (the only remaining character from the GBBO glory days) in carrying the show forward.

Ayoade already has an in, having written and starred in a number of shows on Channel 4, including The IT Crowd, Darkplace, and Nathan Barley, as Business Insider UK reports. Other potential replacements for Mel and Sue include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Too soon to say whether the contenders will be able to carry on the cheeky commentary of the former GBBO hosts.

• Richard Ayoade Is Reportedly in the Running to Replace Mel and Sue on The Great British Bake Off [Vulture]
• Richard Ayoade lined up to replace Mel & Sue after Channel 4 move [The Sun]
• The Rise and Fall of the Great British Bake Off [E]