Noel Fielding is said to have recorded a £ 150,000 pay raise to continue hosting The Great British Bake Off after the shock departure of co-host Sandi Toksvig.
According to The Sun, the presenter, 46, has become one of the highest-paid television stars on Channel 4 with news of the reported salary increase.
It comes a month after the star’s co-host Sandi, 61, announced that she was leaving the hit show after three years to focus on other work projects.
Rise: Noel Fielding reportedly raised £ 150,000 to continue hosting The Great British Bake Off after shocking departure from co-host Sandi Toksvig
A source told the website: “ Noel is incredibly popular with viewers, as well as the cast and crew of Bake Off – he’s a real staple for Channel 4.
“With Sandi’s departure, it is important that they maintain continuity to ensure that people continue. Noel got a good raise thanks to the success of the first two series.
“Unlike his fun and laid-back character, Noel is one of the most active broadcasters on television – and now one of the richest.”
Noel’s revenues soared last year, according to Companies House accounts tabled last week, accumulating 1.1 million pounds, nearly 250,000 pounds over the previous year.
Eager to Keep It: According to The Sun, 46-year-old presenter has now become one of the highest-paid television stars on Channel 4 with news of the reported salary increase (above with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith)
MailOnline contacted representatives of Noel Fielding and Channel 4 for comments.
It comes as rumors circulated about who could replace Sandi, but it has now emerged that Joanna Lumley and Jo Brand are the pioneers to take the job.
It was also reported that Steph McGovern and former GBBO winner Nadiya Hussain were also in the running.
In the race: It comes as rumors circulated about who could replace Sandi, but it has now emerged that Joanna Lumley and Jo Brand are the pioneers to land the job
Sources told The Sun that the bosses of Channel 4 are preparing to “officially approach” the actress Jo, 62, who is already the host of the derivative show Extra Slice.
They also have their eye on the Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna, 73, who is friends with the judge of the program Paul Hollywood, 53.
The source said, “ Channel 4 is very diversity-oriented at the moment, so even if Joanna doesn’t seem like a natural choice, she would be a brilliant successor to Sandi – and very much a comparable replacement, which is important to viewers.
“ But Jo Brand has probed very well internally – but the feeling is that she will not accept such a mainstream concert.
Repeatedly: The Great British Bake Off fans were stunned when Sandi Toksvig announced that she had left the show
“Steph McGovern is the chain’s new golden child, and with his own show about to start, has also been thrown into the mix. Meanwhile, Nadiya has acquired considerable television experience in the past two years and is also said to be a popular choice.
MailOnline contacted representatives of Jo, Joanna and Channel 4 for comments.
Earlier this month, Sandi bombed that she would be leaving as host of The Great British Bake Off, her final episodes scheduled to air this spring as part of a series of celebrity specials.
In a statement, the star confirmed that she was leaving the series to focus on other professional commitments, saying, “ When you leave a job, it’s quite common for people to say they are doing it in order to spend more time with their families.
“Exceptionally, I am leaving the Great British Bake Off so that I can devote more time to my other work. As my waistline will attest, Bake Off is a consuming spectacle.
First choice: sources revealed to The Sun that the bosses of Channel 4 were about to “ formally approach ” the actress Jo, 62, who is already the host of the derivative show Extra Slice
Favorite: They also have their eye on the Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna, 73, who is friends with the judge of the program Paul Hollywood, 53
“Spending time with Prue, Paul and Noel was one of the great pleasures of my life. These are friendships that I know will continue beyond the confines of television. “
The statement went on to say, “Bake Off is a wonderful program that has already proven that it can happily withstand a change in reception staff.
“The reason is, of course, that the real stars of the show are the bakers themselves. I wish everyone good luck.
Tip: the name of journalist Steph McGovern has been added to the mix
On the show? Former GBBO winner Nadiya Hussain also in the game
Sandi took over as Bake Off host alongside Noel Fielding in 2017, when Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins decided to leave the series after moving from the BBC to Channel 4.
It has since been reported that the star had been unhappy with the series for some time before she officially announced her departure.
Speaking to the Sun, a source said: “ The atmosphere on the set had been lively and optimistic, but over time, Sandi seemed to enjoy it less and less and just didn’t want to get involved.
“ She spent most of her time hiding in what looked like a jewel shepherd’s hut she had set up, knitting on her own – and snarling about it quite often. ”
Since Sandi’s departure, it has been confirmed that judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith and host Noel Fielding will remain with the show
