Sandi Toksvig has confirmed she is paid the same as her ‘Great British Bake Off’ co-host Noel Fielding.
The 60-year-old presenter and comedian Noel, 45, have been the faces of the cooking challenge since it moved to Channel 4 in 2017 and Sandi has revealed that the pair have complete "pay parity" on the show, following the row at the BBC over the gender pay gap.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Sandi said: "Noel and I have complete parity. We’re open and transparent about everything, which is the best way to avoid problems. This issue should have been dealt with long ago. I very much hope everyone will clean up their act. Sadly, I doubt it."
The baking competition made its controversial switch from BBC One to Channel 4 with the replacement of the beloved foodie Mary Berry, 83, who chose to "stay loyal to the BBC" and comical twosome, Sue Perkins, 48 and Mel Giedroyc, 50.
Channel 4 received record ratings of nine million, making it their biggest rated show in five years, however, it was no match for BBC One’s 15 million viewers at its peak.
The broadcaster switch was met with much negativity, but Sandi and Noel just ignored the controversy and focused on doing their jobs.
‘The Mighty Boosh’ comedian said: "When they first announced we were doing it, I distanced myself and deliberately didn’t read any of the reaction. People were horrified by me. I didn’t realise exactly how horrified until afterwards. When we’d finished filming, I finally looked back at the coverage. There was a picture of me on the cover of one paper, looking like Tommy Lee from Motley Crue, with the headline, ‘Is THIS the new face of Bake Off?’ I’m glad I didn’t see any of that because I don’t think I would have been able to do it.
"Everything was new for us: new show, new double act. We were just trying to find our way. I was so lucky. Sandi’s been doing this a long time but I’d never presented anything. Sandi did all the heavy lifting and trained me like a little apprentice."
Celebrity chef, Paul Hollywood, 52, is the only remaining member of the original BBC line-up and joins Noel, Sandi and 78-year-old restaurateur Prue Leith on Series 9 when it returns in the coming weeks.
Sand said: "We’re like a dysfunctional family. It can sometimes seem on-camera that Prue’s the sensible one but not at all. She makes us weep with laughter."
Noel added: "Paul’s a real giggler too, like a naughty schoolboy. He arrives for work in some ridiculous vehicles. Me and Sandi go, ‘What even is that? A spaceship?’ "
Sandi joked: "He’s always roaring up to the tent on a massive motorbike when we’re in the middle of shooting, Vroom! Thanks, Paul. But he’s gentle, kind and fun to be with."
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this month with the exact date waiting to be revealed.
Sandi Toksvig gets same GBBO pay as Noel Fielding
