A piece of CAKE

NOEL FIELDING and his new co-host ALISON HAMMOND on bringing 'tiers' of joy to the tent

- CAREN CLARK

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

TUESDAY, 8 PM, C4 COOKERY

When Alison Hammond walks into a north London photographic studio, she can’t wait to spill the baking beans about the fabulous time she’s been having in her new role as co-host of C4’s The Great British Bake Off.

‘I was chuffed when I got the job,’ smiles the This Morning favourite, as she and her colleague, returnee Noel Fielding, join TV Times for a chat ahead of series 14 of the ever-popular contest.

‘I didn’t realise how much I wanted it until I had to audition with Noel, and then they took ages to tell me that I’d got it! It was a lovely feeling because I’ve watched the show for so long.’

This week’s opening episode sees a fresh batch of 12 contenders (meet them on page 7) arrive in the white tent of baking dreams, all hoping their efforts in the first Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges will impress judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith.

Here, Alison, 48, and Noel, 50, talk bakes, banter and the beauty of sausage rolls…

So, Alison, were you nervous on your first day?

ALISON I was star-struck. I looked at Paul, Prue and Noel and thought, ‘I’m in Bake Off ! What am I doing here?!’ It’s nerve-wracking because of the gravitas of that tent. It’s a big deal. But my nerves come out as excitement. 

NOEL She went in the tent and did a little dance!