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Sandi Toksvig was ‘desperate’ to leave the Great British Bake Off ‘for ages’ and ‘sparked tensions’ behind the scenes

She kept herself to herself on-set

Sandi Toksvig had been ‘desperate to leave for ages’ before she quit the Great British Bake Off, reports claim.

The star, 61, dropped the bombshell yesterday (16.1.20) that she was leaving the show after three years.

Read more: Alex Jones, Alison Hammond and Scarlett Moffatt among Celebrity Bake Off line-up

The Sun reports that Sandi, who co-hosts the hit baking competition with Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Noel Fielding, ‘often hid in her dressing room’, which ‘sparked tension on the set’.

The newspaper quotes an insider, who said: “The atmosphere on set had been lively and upbeat, but as time went on Sandi seemed to be enjoying it less and less and just didn’t want to get involved.

The atmosphere on set had been lively and upbeat, but as time went on Sandi seemed to be enjoying it less and less and just didn’t want to get involved.

“She spent most of her time hiding out in what looked like a bijou shepherd’s hut she’d had set up, knitting on her own — and quite often grumbling about it all.

“As time went on it sparked some real tensions and everybody felt uncomfortable. By the end of the last series it was obvious she wanted out as soon as possible. The only surprise is she didn’t walk sooner. This has been on the cards for ages.”

ED! has gone to Sandi’s reps for comment.

Celebrity Bake Off judges
Sandi co-hosted the show for three years (Credit: Channel 4)

In a statement, Sandi said yesterday that: “When stepping down from a job it is quite common for people to say they are doing so in order to spend more time with their family.

“Unusually I am departing from The Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work.

“As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.”

Read more: Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood ‘on the cusp of £1million deal with Warburtons’

Sandi’s co-host Noel Fielding took to Twitter to share his response to the news.

“I feel like Tom without Jerry! Mick without Keef.

“Gonna miss yoooooooo and all the wonderful times we got to play together in the tent!

“Double acts are a rare and magical beast and working with you was a pleasure.”

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor