Paul Hollywood has said he was left “surprised” and “upset” at Sandi Toksvig’s decision to quit as the host of The Great British Bake Off.

However, the baker has given his seal of approval to her replacement, Matt Lucas, who he claims gets him “laughing out loud”. 

Sandi announced she would be leaving the Channel 4 show after three series co-hosting with Noel Fielding in January, with Matt later revealed as her successor. 

Speaking about Sandi’s exit, Paul told Radio Times he had no idea she was planning to leave.  

He said: “No, it was a surprise and I was really upset. I’m very fond of Sandi. She was never too busy to sit down, have a chat and put the world to rights. We shared a couple of drinks and had some good times together.

“I’m going to miss her.”

Paul said that Matt was going to be an “amazing replacement”, continuing: “I’ve been a big fan of Matt’s for many years and I can’t wait to meet him. His humour gets me laughing out loud.

“I just hope Marjorie from Little Britain’s fat club comes to the Bake Off tent because I think that character is fantastic!”

Filming on the upcoming series of Bake Off was due to go into production this spring, but has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Speaking about when the series could feasibly air, Paul added: “It depends on when the lockdown is lifted. If we can get started, we could turn around the programme pretty quickly and still have it out in late summer or early autumn.”

The full interview with Paul appears in this week’s Radio Times, on sale now. www.radiotimes.com