Noel Fielding's Bake Off future 'thrown into doubt' amid mystery health fears with Channel 4 bosses in 'crisis talks' as they try desperately to save their most watched show - after he pulled out of Apple TV series Dick Turpin
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Noel Fielding's future hosting The Great British Bake Off alongside Alison Hammond has reportedly been thrown into doubt amid his mystery health issues.
Concern has been rising for the comedian, 51, who has co-hosted the Channel 4 series since 2017, after he abruptly pulled out of filming Apple TV comedy The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, resulting in the show getting axed.
Now according to The Sun Channel 4 bosses are in 'criss talks' as they work to save their most-watched show, which is due to begin filming it's 16th series.
A source told the publication: '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.
Before adding: 'All those involved understand this is a health matter, but contingencies have to be put in place.'
Noel Fielding 's future hosting The Great British Bake Off alongside Alison Hammond has reportedly been thrown into doubt amid his mystery health issues
He abruptly pulled out of filming Apple TV comedy The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (pictured) resulting in the show getting axed
According to reports Channel 4 bosses are in 'criss talks' as they work to save their most-watched show, which is due to begin filming it's 16th series in a matter of weeks
MailOnline have contacted Noel's reps and Channel 4 for comment.
Noel previously co-hosted the baking competition with Sandi Toksvig and later Matt Lucas.
Co-host Matt told viewers: 'Okay Bakers, Noel is feeling a little under the weather, but we're going to carry on...' as he took on the duties solo for the last 10 minutes of the show.
He played the lead role of the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin in the multi-million-pound show which had its first series on Apple TV last spring but it was reported earlier this week that series two was axed mid-production.
A spokesperson for the comedian confirmed to 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.'
Meanwhile, a source close to the show told The Times: 'Noel has said that he can’t film any more and so there was no choice but to stop.
A source said: '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' (pictured with co-host Alison Hammond)
Noel previously co-hosted the baking competition with Sandi Toksvig (L-R) Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel and Sandi (pictured 2019)
Before she was replaced by fellow comedian Matt Lucas (pictured 2020)
Back in 2021 the star sparked concern after he suddenly disappeared halfway through an episode of the Channel 4 show with a mystery illness
'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.'
It comes after reports the cast and crew working on the show are planning to sue the show's makers after it was axed.
While filming was set to resume for the second series after the Christmas holidays, cast and crew have received the devastating news that it would not be happening.
It has been reported that Noel didn't return after the festive break and now more than 100 are considering a class action lawsuit against the makers of the Apple TV+ comedy.
They report that because Noel - who plays the character of Turpin - is also a co-writer and executive producer he is likely to be sued too.
The publication claims he left for France before the team learned of the shock axing news and has not been seen in public since.
He played the lead role of the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin in the multi-million-pound show which had its first series on Apple TV last spring but it was reported earlier this week that series two was axed mid-production
It comes after reports the cast and crew working on the show are planning to sue the show's makers after it was axed
A source said: '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.
'Plus he'll have to contend with any legal action. It will be a difficult few months for him.'
MailOnline has contacted Noel's representatives for comment.
