Noel Fielding, the host of The Great British Bake Off, has withdrawn from filming a new comedy series due to health issues, raising concerns among fans and producers. Love Productions has revealed that they are preparing for his potential departure from the baking show, set to begin filming in April, while an emergency plan is in place. Fielding’s recent exit from Apple TV’s The Perfectly Made Adventures of Dick Turpin has intensified worries, especially as filming was abruptly canceled due to his inability to continue. Amidst these developments, cast and crew are reportedly considering a class action lawsuit related to the canceled project.
Bake Off host Noel Fielding has suddenly pulled out of filming a new comedy series due to poor health, sparking concern.
Now Love Productions, the production company behind the Channel 4 baking show whose next series begins filming in April, has confirmed that Noel, 51, will be leaving the series as they are concerned about his future. He is said to have an emergency plan in place in case he is forced to do so.
A source said: “Of course, everyone at Love Productions is concerned to learn of Noel’s deteriorating health and will do everything in his power to support him.”
“While nothing is set in stone, they are preparing for any outcome and have plans in place if Noel is unable to continue hosting series 16.”
It comes after the star of The Great British Bake Off, who co-stars with Alison Hammond, quit Apple TV’s The Perfectly Made Adventures of Dick Turpin.
After the success of the first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming for the second series began late last year.
Bake Off host Noel Fielding suddenly quits filming a new comedy series due to ill health, sparking concern (pictured from last month’s show)
Now Love Productions, the company behind the Channel 4 baking show whose next series begins filming in April, is concerned about Noel’s future and has not yet decided whether the 51-year-old should be forced to leave the series. He is said to have an emergency plan in place.
This comes as the Great British Bake Off star has left Apple TV’s The Perfectly Made Adventures of Dick Turpin, in which he played the titular hitman (in the show) (Photo)
However, when filming was scheduled to resume after the Christmas break, cast and crew were informed that filming had been halted three-quarters of the way through.
According to sources, Noel, who played the lead role in the legendary hitman, was unable to participate in the scheduled or postponed filming dates.
The cast and crew were told this week that the project had been canceled due to an “illness of a key cast member.”
A spokesperson for Noel said in an email: “This is a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health.”
“We regret the decision to discontinue production, but cannot comment further on this matter.”
The host is said to be recuperating in France.
A source close to the show told The Times: “Noel said he couldn’t film any more, so we had no choice but to cancel it.”
“This was not a decision taken lightly and this extreme outcome would not have been reached if all possible solutions had not been exhausted.”
After the success of the first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming began on the second series late last year. However, when it was decided to resume after Christmas, cast and crew were told that filming had been canceled three-quarters of the way through.
“People are very concerned about Noel’s well-being and have given him time to recover, but there are also serious repercussions. Some people are furious.”
The cast and crew are reportedly frustrated that all their hard work isn’t seen on screen.
But Apple and production company Big Talk are working to ensure people are paid for their work on the show.
Stars signed up for series two included Jason Isaacs, Dawn French, Miranda Richardson, and Jamie and Natasia Demetriou.
This comes in the wake of reports that the cast and staff who were involved in the show’s production are planning to sue the creators after the show’s cancellation.
Noel reportedly did not return after Christmas, and more than 100 people are now considering a class action lawsuit against the producers of the Apple TV+ comedy.
They report that since Noel is also a co-writer and executive producer, he is likely to be sued as well.
The newspaper said he left for France before the team learned of the shock news of his resignation and has not been seen in public since.
The cast and crew are reportedly unhappy that all their hard work wasn’t seen on screen and plan to sue the show’s creators following the show’s cancellation.
Noel has co-hosted Bake Off with Sandi Toksvig and later Matt Lucas since moving to Channel 4 in 2017 (pictured in 2019 with Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Photo taken with Sandy)
Back in 2021, the star suddenly disappeared midway through an episode of the Channel 4 show due to a mysterious illness, sparking concern.
A source said, “It’s virtually unprecedented for a show to be canceled midway through production, but what happened remains a mystery.” Bosses from other shows he appears on are under extreme stress.
“Furthermore, he will have to resort to all legal means. It will be a difficult few months for him.”
Noel has co-hosted Bake Off with Sandi Toksvig and later Matt Lucas since moving to Channel 4 in 2017.
Back in 2021, the star suddenly disappeared from an episode of the Channel 4 show due to a mysterious illness, sparking concern.
Co-host Matt, solo for the final 10 minutes of the show, told viewers: “Okay, Bakers, Noel’s looking a little off, but we’re going to keep going…”