Bake Off ‘in crisis talks’ after Noel Fielding series axed midway through filming

Noel Fielding is due to start filming The Great British Bake Off in spring (Picture: Channel 4)

Noel Fielding’s future on Channel 4 show The Great British Bake Off is unclear after he pulled out of filming his Apple TV Plus show.

The comedian, 51, ‘had no choice’ but to cease his involvement in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin due to his health.

The streamer subsequently axed the show, which was in production for its second season, unexpectedly midway through the shoot.

Now, Channel 4 is reportedly holding ‘crisis talks’ in the event Noel is unable to return to Bake Off as a judge.

He is due to start filming the beloved show, alongside fellow presenter Alison Hammond, and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood this spring.

Bosses need to ascertain a backup plan for the show ahead of filming as it’s the broadcaster’s ‘most-watched’ show, it has been claimed.

Bosses are reportedly holding crisis talks in the event Noel is unable to film (Picture: Channel 4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA Wire)

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Time is of the essence because bosses need a degree of certainty about who will be fronting Bake Off.

‘So much has to be put in place long before the cameras start rolling and producers are already geared up, ready to go.

‘It is Channel 4’s most-watched show, and is still one of the most popular in the UK, so there’s a lot riding on this.

‘All those involved understand this is a health matter, but contingencies have to be put in place.’

Noel’s Apple TV drama was unexpectedly axed midway through filming (Picture: Apple TV Plus / Joseph Lynn)

Noel reportedly did not show up for filming and later said it was down to ‘health’ (Picture: Joseph Lynn)

Season 2 of The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin began in the autumn but Noel reportedly failed to return to set after the production’s Christmas break.

A spokesperson for Noel told MailOnline: ‘This is a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health.

‘We are saddened by the decision to cease production but we cannot make any further comment on this matter.’

A source told The Times that the decision to scrap filming was not ‘taken lightly’, insisting that they have ‘exhausted’ every possible solution.

Noel, with his partner Illana, has not publicly addressed the axe (Picture:Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The insider said: ‘Noel has said that he can’t film anymore and so there was no choice but to stop.’

However, some of the 100 cast and crew members are said to be ‘furious’ over The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin’s abrupt end.

One individual close to the show told The Times: ‘Noel has said that he can’t film anymore and so there was no choice but to stop. It’s not a decision that was taken lightly and they wouldn’t have got to this extreme result if every possible solution hadn’t been exhausted.

‘People have been very concerned about Noel’s wellbeing and given him time to recover but there are also significant repercussions. Some people are furious.’

Set in the 18th century, the British comedy is a fictional take on the life of Essex Gang leader Dick Turpin, played by Noel, who commits petty crimes with the hope of becoming the country’s greatest highwayman.

The series was a hit with critics and viewers alike, with many praising its ‘brilliant one liners’ and making comparisons to Monty Python.

The series also starred Hugh Bonneville, Tamsin Greig and Joe Wilkinson.

Metro has reached out to Channel 4 and Noel’s rep for comment.

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