Matt Lucas ‘makes himself sick during first day of filming The Great British Bake Off’

Matt Lucas has allegedly made himself ill during the first day of filming of The Great British Bake Off, it was reported on Thursday.

According to The Sun, the new co-host, 46, had opted to eat all 12 contestants’ signature bakes, leading to an upset stomach.

A source speaking to the publication claimed: ‘When he saw all the treats on offer he took the opportunity to do what he couldn’t as a viewer — taste them.

‘But there’s a reason Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith only take small mouthfuls when they’re judging and why co-host Noel Fielding only samples the bakes every now and again.’

‘He certainly felt the effects of overindulging. But it was worth him learning this valuable lesson early.’

The source added that Matt, who has replaced Sandi Toksvig as co-host, had been ‘very excited’ about being part of the show, which led him to get stuck into the ‘Bake Off experience’ in full.

MailOnline have contacted Channel 4 and Matt’s representatives for comment.   

The 11th series has commenced filming in the newly-located Bake Off tent in the grounds of Down Hall, a swanky hotel in England’s south-east, and has been in production for two weeks according to reports.

This follows Sky Studios chief commercial officer Jane Millichip’s comments at a virtual Broadcasting Press Guild lunch that, ‘it’s all happening in deep secret, somewhere in darkest deepest Britain in the shires’. 

There were concerns that the Bake Off would not happen this year, thanks to the global health crisis plunging film and TV production into doubt.

But it was confirmed last week that the 2020 series will go ahead, following a shooting delay of three months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The popular Channel 4 show had been scheduled to go into production back in April, before the pandemic, and subsequent lockdown, scuppered all plans.

However, Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey brought all hopes for the show’s return back to life on Wednesday, when he revealed that filming is ‘going very well’.

It was also reported that the shows judges and presenters went into quarantine in the run-up to filming, to allow for close interaction on the set.

At the start of the month, hopes for the show’s return this autumn appeared to be all but bashed, when bosses warned that the 2020 series could be axed.

In a statement, bosses of Love Productions insisted they were ‘working hard’ to deliver a new series this year, as fans feared the show would not be ready for its usual return in late August.

It comes following reports that this year’s series will not feature older contestants due to concerns they could fall ill during filming, despite the show being known for its diverse range of bakers.