Prue Leith shares excitement as Alison Hammond joins Bake Off

The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has reacted to Alison Hammond joining the show, admitting she's excited to have another woman on the series.

The This Morning presenter was announced as Matt Lucas's replacement on the Channel 4 series earlier this month, and is set to join Noel Fielding as a presenter alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood.

Prue told Metro: "I think it’ll be fantastic, not only because of her character and her personality, but I like the fact she’s a woman.

What to read next

"I love Matt Lucas and I’m sure we’ll be friends for life, but the fact is, when there were three men and me, because there were numbers of them, they just got sillier and sillier and I never understand the jokes," she added.

"They can go into hysterics about the word sausage. They’re like four years olds. So, I’m looking forward to having a woman around."

Upon her announcement, Alison posted a humorous video on social media, saying at the time: "It's official! It's happening! The Great British Bake Off! Let's have it – the cake that is. So excited."

Fielding welcomed his new fellow presenter, saying: "It gives me so much pleasure to welcome @alisonhammond55 into the tent.

"I'm absolutely pumped we are working together. We are gonna spend the whole time giggling like naughty school kids. The bakers are gonna love you to bits."

Love Productions Executive Producer, Kieran Smith added: "Alison has already proved herself to be a natural on Bake Off. Maybe not as a baker, but as someone who brings an infectious warmth and humour into the tent and we can't wait for this year's bakers to meet her and Noel. Welcome to The Great British Bake Off."

The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 in the UK.