Comedian Matt Lucas to join Bake Off as presenter

Comedian Matt Lucas will join Noel Fielding as co-presenter of Channel 4 baking contest The Great British Bake Off, replacing Sandi Toksvig after the surprise announcement in January that she was leaving the show.

Lucas is best known for sketch shows Little Britain and Come Fly With Me as well as for acting roles in Doctor Who, Bridesmaids and Alice in Wonderland.

In a statement, Lucas said: "I'm chuffed to bits to be joining the most delicious show on television. I can't wait to break bread with Noel, Prue and Paul and meet the brilliant bakers.

"And bearing in mind my love of cake, I've already ordered some much larger trousers in anticipation."

Once the most-watched show on British television, The Great British Bake Off has struggled to retain viewers since its 2017 move from the BBC to Channel 4.

In 2015, 14.5 million viewers watched Nadiya Hussain triumph, but the most recent run saw a peak audience of 6.9 million – less than half that figure.

Filming for the 11th series will begin this spring.