Sandi Toksvig Laughs Off Retirement Rumours on Good Morning Britain

Sandi Toksvig, the beloved former host of The Great British Bake Off, addressed speculation about her retirement during an appearance on Good Morning Britain. Following a comment made by co-host Susanna Reid regarding her “slowing down,” Toksvig, 67, firmly stated, “I’m still full of beans,” dispelling any notions that she plans to step back from her active career.

Toksvig, who co-hosted the popular baking show on Channel 4 from 2017 to 2020 alongside Noel Fielding, has since shifted her focus towards political activism, various presenting roles, and writing books. She appeared on the show on Wednesday to discuss her latest book, Friends of Dorothy. During the segment, Reid humorously apologised for suggesting that Toksvig might be “slowing down,” to which Toksvig replied, “Can I say that hadn’t occurred to me until that moment, and now suddenly I’m thinking, ‘Oh wait a second, maybe I should slow down!’”

Reid’s light-hearted comment provoked laughter from both hosts, with Reid adding, “Please don’t retire yet,” before handing over to Toksvig to fulfil her long-held dream of presenting the weather. This moment marked a significant personal achievement for Toksvig, allowing her to step into the role briefly.

Toksvig has previously explained her departure from The Great British Bake Off, stating she wanted to devote more time to her other projects. She noted, “As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.” Reflecting on her time on the series, she expressed gratitude for the friendships she formed with fellow hosts Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood, and Noel Fielding, saying, “These are friendships which I know will continue beyond the confines of television.”

In a candid interview with Radio Times last year, Toksvig revealed her reasons for leaving the show were rooted in a loss of enjoyment. “To be honest, I left Bake Off because I stopped having fun. I was literally standing there watching meringues dry and thinking, ‘Oh my god, my brain is atrophying,’” she shared. Despite her departure, she remains a fan of the baking genre, jokingly expressing interest in a hypothetical series called The Great British Cheese Off.

As a versatile presenter and activist, Sandi Toksvig continues to engage with the public through various platforms. Her appearance on Good Morning Britain aired weekdays at 6 a.m. on ITV1 and ITVX, while The Great British Bake Off continues to capture audiences on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Channel 4. With her spirited personality and commitment to her work, Toksvig reassures fans that she is not ready to retire any time soon.