Bake Off's Sandi Toksvig replaces celebrity baker who quits mid-episode
The Great Celebrity Bake Off's 2019 series for Stand Up to Cancer has given us several firsts: the first-ever vagina cake and the first-ever cream horn made with scrambled eggs.
But Tuesday's (March 19) episode gave viewers the most monumental first in Bake Off history: the first time a presenter actually became a baker! That distinction went to Sandi Toksvig.
Sandi started out the charity episode as usual offering witty commentary with Noel Fielding on the shaky shortbread presented by comedian Johnny Vegas, rapper Big Narstie, Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson and politician Jess Phillips in the Signature.
Disaster struck after the first day through, when Noel made a surprising announcement to three of the bakers ahead of the Showcase.
"There's been a development overnight," Noel told them.
"Unfortunately, Big Narstie can’t be with us today as he’s a little bit unwell, but he will be replaced by another baker. It’s a seamless swap, don’t worry.”
That replacement turned out to be Sandi, or "Little Narstie", as Noel hilariously called her while welcoming her to her oven!
On the one hand, losing Big Narstie was a downer. He'd been hilarious in the signature and technical eating his own bakes, going rogue with his own rules and shouting at the judges: "Wah gwan Pru Dog!"
Whatta guy. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/1CIgLDgUCo
- British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 19, 2019
They need Narstie on this every week #gbbo #standuptocancer #su2c
- Ben Wilson (@nebagram) March 19, 2019
'Wagwan Prue-dog' has been the absolute highlight of my week #GBBO @BritishBakeOff
- 𝓂𝑜𝓁𝓁𝓎 (@littlelegsmols) March 19, 2019
Big narstie just doing what he wants 😂😂😂 #GBBO
- Stephi Ryan (@stephiryan) March 19, 2019
#GBBO Does Narstie know he's not supposed to be eating the merch? Haha class 👏👏👏 @bignarstie
- Claire Williams (@Clairadactel) March 19, 2019
Big Narstie saying wagwarn pru dog has KILLED me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 love him #GBBO
- Lucy (@lucy_hoyland) March 19, 2019
Big Narstie is absolute gold this episode, everything he says is classic #GBBO
- Emily Ward (@thisspecialkid) March 19, 2019
Big Narstie on #GBBO is jokes man omfg 😂😭
- ✨ (@abbieisarose) March 19, 2019
On the other hand, Sandi was baking. In the tent!
Omg SANDI TO WIN 🙌🏼 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/BEbyOrWJKw
- TV Geek Online 📺 (@TVGeekOnline) March 19, 2019
SANDI STANDING IN FOR NARSTIE hahaha amazing #GBBO
- lauren (@begforloves) March 19, 2019
YES. Sandi is baking 😃 This day will be long remembered. #GBBO
- Natasha Jones (@RedheadNatasha_) March 19, 2019
Sandi baking! Yas! #gbbo
- Wrecking Col 🐹 (@merleia) March 19, 2019
LIL NARSTIE 😍😍 #GBBO
- Gemma Askham (@GingerWarrior42) March 19, 2019
Go sandi!!! I believe in you #GBBO
- Ros Stephen (@crazy_bitch88) March 19, 2019
Oh yaaaas Sandi to win! #GBBO
- Sarah Chapman (@sarahchaps21) March 19, 2019
#GBBO SANDI IS A NATIONAL TREASURE
- Donna (@DOONADIA) March 19, 2019
#GBBO awwww no no big Narstie for the end. He's made this episode but big respect and love for Sandi filling in what a grade A ledge 👏👏 @bignarstie @sanditoksvig
- Claire Williams (@Clairadactel) March 19, 2019
Sandi just joined the celebrities for the Showstopper round to make a 'self-portrait' cake. Full disclosure: the judges gave Sandi an actual recipe for her cake since she'd stepped in on short notice.
"I haven’t cooked a sponge since domestic science O-level," Sandi joked.
Soon enough, Sandi found out how distracting Noel's wisecracks and the judges' banter actually can be when her batter started to curdle.
"Two seasons of presenting and I've honestly learned nothing, except for how to pronounce 'ganache' with panache," she laughed.
🤔 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/Iax04pr9PZ
- British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 19, 2019
Meanwhile, her fellow celebrity bakers were worrying if Sandi would somehow put them to shame with her late entry into the competition.
"I'll be really, really upset if Sandi plays a blinder," Johnny Vegas joked.
Relatable. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/wDjR94uq69
- British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 19, 2019
The judges were ultimately impressed by Sandi's decision to bake her self-portrait in the shape of herself hiding behind a wall. As for the taste... it was tasty enough to earn her a Hollywood Handshake!
"I think it's a well thought-through and well-baked cake," Paul smiled, with Prue nodding: "I agree."
ABSOLUTE SCENES in the tent as @sanditoksvig receives a Hollywood handshake, shattering all previously-known perceptions of reality#GBBO#StandUpToCancer@PaulHollywood pic.twitter.com/McPCxM9lZ2
- Channel 4 (@Channel4) March 19, 2019
Sandi got a Hollywood Handshake 😂 #GBBO
- Bryony (@Bryonybry1999) March 19, 2019
Sandi getting a handshake has made my evening 🥰 #GBBO
- Annabelle Michael (@_Annabelle_) March 19, 2019
Awww Sandi handshake. Sandshake #GBBO
- Scriblit (@Scriblit) March 19, 2019
Yaaay!! Sandi got a handshake!! #GBBO
- Chan Dutton (@vamplacey) March 19, 2019
Paul and Prue unfortunately decided Sandi wouldn't be in contention for Star Baker because she hadn't done all three challenges - that honour went to Jess Phillips instead!
This is a legally binding statement right, @jessphillips? 😂😂😂 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/TMvUiLjI3E
- British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) March 19, 2019
Even though she didn't walk away with the Star Baker apron, Sandi said she was thrilled with her experience: "The thing that I really learnt today was to throw yourselves into it.
"Give it a go, raise some money for Stand Up To Cancer and you have a lovely end product as well."
Viewers were just as proud:
Well done Sandi you did great and a Hollywood handshake too #GBBO
- elaine burgoyne (@burgylane) March 19, 2019
sandi becoming one of the bakers is one of the best things to ever happen I need an ep where noel bakes next #gbbo
- amy˚✵.·˚.·✫ (@goawayamy) March 19, 2019
didn’t think I could love Sandi anymore until now #GBBO
- sophie (@sophieejayne96) March 19, 2019
The Great Celebrity Bake Off continues next Tuesday (March 26) at 8pm on Channel 4. To find out more about Stand Up to Cancer, or to donate, visit the website.
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