Matt Lucas took a brutal swipe at Bake Off on Tuesday after he quit the show after three series.
The comedian, 48, has co-hosted the Channel 4 show alongside Noel Fielding since 2020 but has decided his time on the programme is over.
He described his stint alongside Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Paul Hollywood as ‘a pandemic job’ due to landing the role at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Speaking on The Deeney Talks podcast, Matt said: ‘I’m lucky enough to be able to not do any more Bake Off and take the time to write my bucket list project.’
‘I had a great time and the bakers were lovely. Now it’s time for someone else to do it.’
Dig: Matt Lucas took a brutal swipe at Bake Off on Tuesday after he quit the show after three series
In a statement, Matt cited his heavy workload as the reason he has stepped away from Bake Off, saying he wouldn’t have the time to host it alongside his work on Fantasy Football League.
He wrote: ‘Farewell Bake Off! It’s been a delicious experience and I can’t imagine a more fun way of spending my summers.
‘But it’s become clear to me that I can’t present both Fantasy Football League and Bake Off alongside all my other projects.
‘So, after three series and 51 episodes, I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else.
‘I would like to give my warmest thanks and gratitude to everyone at Love Productions and Channel 4 and to Noelipops, Paul, Dame Prue, the crew and, of course, the wonderful bakers for welcoming me into the tent.
‘I wish whoever takes over the very best and I can’t wait to tune into the next series without already knowing who won!’
Matt joined the show in series 11, replacing fellow comedian Sandi Toksvig who left the programme after three seasons.
The comedian was inundated with well wishes from Bake Off fans who said they’d miss him on the show.
Host: The comedian, 48, has co-hosted the Channel 4 show alongside Noel Fielding since 2020 but has decided his time on the programme is over
Ready, set, bake! The Great British Bake Off has announced the star-studded line-up for their 2023 celebrity special in aid of Stand Up To Cancer
Noel, who joined as co-host when Bake Off moved to Channel 4 in series 8, will remain with the show alongside judges Paul and Prue.
The Great British Bake Off has announced the star-studded line-up for their 2023 celebrity special in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
And leading the way are former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson , Friends legend David Schwimmer and reality star Gemma Collins – who will also be hoping to avoid that dreaded soggy bottom with their bakes.
A total of 20 famous faces will be heading into the famous tent, with other names battling for star baker including Loose Women’s Judi Love and Coleen Nolan , comedian Paddy McGuinness and Olympian Tom Daley.
While also jostling for that coveted Hollywood handshake is Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden, presenter AJ Odudu, The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades, radio host Adele Roberts and Strictly’s Ellie Taylor.
Also taking part in the Channel 4 show are comedians Rose Matafeo, Mike Wozniak and Lucy Beaumont, radio presenter Tim Key and filmmaker David Morrissey.
While completing the star-studded line-up is Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas, Shaun of the Dead actress Jessica Hynes and Murder in Successville actor Tom Davis.
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will be back once more as judges, alongside hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas – with the latter appearing for one final time.
It comes after Matt and David Walliams recently announced they were writing together again, sparking speculation they were working on a Little Britain reboot.
But Matt insisted on The One Show on Friday night his new project with David Walliams is something completely different after presenters Alex Jones and Ronan Keating quizzed him about it.
Not happening: Matt insisted on Friday night on The One Show that his new show with David Walliams is not a reboot of Little Britain after rumours swirled
Little Britain ran from 2003-2006 and was a sketch comedy show featuring the celebrities as different characters including Andy and Lou.
Matt, who appeared on the show alongside Fantasy Football League co-host Ellis James and singer Rita Ora, said of the rumours: ‘It’s not true! Me and David Walliams are working together on a new thing, but it’s not Little Britain.
‘It’s a brand new thing. If anything it’s more of a spiritual successor to Come Fly With Me, it’s going to be all new characters.
‘But we have literally just begun the process, we are still brainstorming. We know what the concept is but we are now creating the characters.’
