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Noel Fielding made a triumphant return to screens on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night for the first time since he quit Apple TV’s Dick Turpin series amid health concerns.
TV favourite Noel was supported by his co-host Alison Hammond and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
Noel, dressed in a quirky blue knit jumper, appeared in good spirits as the 16th series of the Channel 4 show kicked off.
It marks the actor’s first TV appearance since the axing of his comedy show The Completely Made Up Adventures Of Dick Turpin after just one season.
His publicists confirmed he would not be returning to film the show after the Christmas break due to an unknown ‘health reason’, with the series being scrapped.
After a successful first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming for a second series took place at the end of last year.
Noel Fielding made a triumphant return to screens on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night for the first time since he quit Apple TV’s Dick Turpin series amid health concerns
Noel appeared in good spirits as the 16th series of the Channel 4 show kicked off (pictured with Alison in the opening VT)
But when filming was set to resume after the Christmas holidays, cast and crew were told it had been axed three-quarters of the way into the shoot.
Upon returning to film in January, cast and crew members were told the production was being axed due to ‘the illness of a key cast member’.
A TV insider told The Sun at the time: ‘Axing a show halfway through production is virtually unheard of – plus there’s a mystery over just what has happened. It’s left bosses of other shows he is on feeling extremely nervous.’
Over the Christmas break, Noel was believed to have flown out to his rural villa, near Nice, to spend the festive period with his partner and their two young daughters.
Daily Mail contacted representatives for Noel Fielding and Apple TV+ for comment at the time.
Noel, who has kept out of the spotlight, made a rare public appearance in July with his partner Lliana Bird as they attended British Summertime Hyde Park together.
Noel shared a smouldering snap of him and Bake Off judge Paul before Bake Off aired, as the pair looked serious for the camera with the iconic Union Jack bunting in the background.
‘Tonight!’ wrote Noel on Instagram, tagging both the Bake Off and Channel 4 accounts.
It marks the actor’s first TV appearance since the axing of his comedy show The Completely Made Up Adventures Of Dick Turpin after just one season
TV favourite Noel was supported by his co-host Alison Hammond and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith
Excited Bake Off fans were overjoyed, and rushed to the comments to share their support for Noel earlier in the day
Noel shared a smouldering snap of him and Bake Off judge Paul, as the pair looked serious for the camera with the iconic Union Jack bunting in the background
First to leave the beloved show was 30-year-old Hassan who fell bottom of the three challenges, while Ukraine-born Nataliia (pictured), 30, was awarded star baker
Excited fans were overjoyed, and rushed to the comments to share their support.
Some wrote: ‘Can’t wait!’, ‘It’s gonna be epic! Bring on the knitwear’, ‘Can’t wait. And a huge good luck to all the bakers’,
And fans of Noel’s delighted to hear of his return to TV, with one writing: ‘Oooh exciting, can’t wait to see you, Noel’, ‘Have you found the fountain of youth?’
The much-loved baking competition has become an autumn TV tradition, drawing in millions each year for a mix of spectacular showstoppers and kitchen disasters.
12 contestants went head to head in the famous tent under the watchful eye of Paul and Prue.
First to leave the beloved show was 30-year-old Hassan who fell bottom of the three challenges, while Ukraine-born Nataliia, 30, was awarded star baker.
Great British Bake Off 2025: Who are the contestants?
Jessika
Age: 32
Occupation: Service designer
From: London
She says: ‘Seeing the big white tent for the first time was so weird.
‘I’ve watched the show for years, and entertained the idea that, potentially, maybe, one day, this girl could quite possibly bake up a storm for the judges.’
Iain
Age: 29
Occupation: Software engineer
From: Belfast
He says: ‘When I got the call to confirm my place I was in sheer disbelief, I had no idea it would actually happen.
‘I thought it was a prank at first, I got a call a few minutes after being told and I thought they were going to tell me they made a mistake and I wasn’t actually on the show!’
Jasmine
Age: 23
Occupation: Medical student
From: Edinburgh
The London based contestant learnt the art of baking through her mother and aunts and has revealed she likes ‘using classic flavours and techniques to produce delicious bakes.’
Lesley
Age: 53
Occupation: Hairdresser
From: Kent
She is inspired by her family, passing on her kitchen skills to her granddaughter Mabel after falling in love with baking as a child herself, thanks her Nanny Mable and Auntie Joan.
Nadia
Age: 41
Occupation: Hairdresser
From: Liverpool
She is inspired by her Italian chef dad and loves to blend Indian and Italian flavours
Toby
Age: 29
Occupation: Business development executive
From: Warwickshire
Toby takes a stripped back and healthy approach to baking and leans towards classic recipes and flavours as he believes they are classics for a reason.
Pui Man
Age: 51
Occupation: Bridal designer
From: Essex
Pui Man brings attention to detail when it comes to designing a wedding dress, and especially when it comes to her bakes.
Nataliia
Age: 32
Occupation: Office assistant
From: Ukraine
Nataliia was taught how to bake by her grandmother, following traditional recipes that have been handed down through the generations.
Tom
Age: 31
Occupation: Creative entrepreneur
From: London
Tom learnt how to bake scones and flapjacks alongside his mum and grandmother.
After stepping back from the advertising agency he set up, he recently reconnected with baking and brings a creative flair to his beautifully presented bakes.
Leighton
Age: 59
Occupation: Software delivery manager
From: Surrey
Leighton likes to play with traditional Welsh, British and American flavours when it comes to baking, with his favourites like Welsh cakes with peanut butter and Victoria Sponge with key lime pie filling.
Hassan
Age: 30
Occupation: Analytical research & development scientist
From: South Yorkshire
As a scientist, Hassan takes an analytical approach to baking, researching processes thoroughly before getting started on a new recipe.
Aaron
Age: 38
Occupation: Senior systems architect
From: London
Aaron is a passionate baker who fuses French patisserie with Caribbean flair, and is always experimenting with his bakes.
