'GBBO': Nadiya Hussain and Emma Willis among most likely to replace Sandi Toksvig as host, odds claim

Updated
Sandi Toksvig has quit as host of 'The Great British Bake Off' - and UK bookmakers think they have an idea who might replace her... (Channel 4)
Sandi Toksvig has quit as host of The Great British Bake Off – and UK bookmakers think they have an idea who might replace her... (Channel 4)

Nadiya Hussain and The Circle presenter Emma Willis have been named most likely to replace Sandi Toksvig as host of The Great British Bake Off, UK bookmakers have announced.

Writer-broadcaster Toksvig revealed she was stepping away from the beloved show on Thursday 16 January in order to “spend more time with [her] other work”. She had been part of the new line-up – which consists of comedian Noel Fielding and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood – since GBBO switched from BBC One to Channel 4 three years ago.

Read more: Noel Fielding feels like ‘Tom without Jerry’ as Sandi Toksvig quits Bake Off

Now Paddy Power has claimed that former GBBO winner Hussain is the favourite to take over from Toksvig in the famous white tent, with 6/4 odds.

Willis and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown regular Sara Pascoe are joint runners-up with 6/1 odds, while Davina McCall comes in third and Richard Ayoade, whose double act with Fielding always goes down well with audiences on the network’s Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, comes in fourth.

TV chef Nadiya Hussain during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, to be aired on BBC One on Friday evening. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)
Former GBBO winner Nadiya Hussain has been named the favourite to take over from Sandi Toksvig. (Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)

The likelihood of Fielding’s former Mighty Boosh partner Julian Barratt stepping into Toksvig’s shoes is currently coming in at 10/1, which equals TOWIE star Gemma Collins’ odds.

Peep Show’s David Mitchell is rated 14/1, while Russell Brand and Jack Whitehall are both coming in at 16/1.

Other names being thrown into the ring include True Love Or True Lies?’ Maya Jama, Naked Attraction’s Anna Richardson, I’m A Celebrity’s Emily Atack and Scarlett Moffatt and Love Island stars Caroline Flack and Maura Higgins.

MARYLEBONE HOTEL, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2019/02/28: TV Presenter Emma Willis at a photo call for her range of 'Emma Willis for Next' clothing line at the Marylebone Hotel. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The Circle presenter Emma Willis is another likely contender, says Paddy Power. (Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Toksvig revealed she’s set to host an upcoming documentary series exploring adult illiteracy throughout the UK.

Titled The Write Offs, it follows eight grown-ups with difficulties reading and writing as they undertake intensive lessons to improve such skills.

Read more: Sandi Toksvig says anti-LGBTQ+ protesters assume being gay is 'a terrible thing'

“I have had the extraordinary pleasure of spending time with eight courageous people who have approached their deepest fears with humour and determination,” she said in a prepared statement.

“Like me, I just know not only will everyone fall in love with them, they will review what they think they know about reading and writing.

“I believe the ripple effect from these eight will be astonishing.”

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