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Cal Wilson's replacement on Great Australian Bake Off revealed after beloved comedian's tragic death

Cal Wilson's replacement on Great Australian Bake Off revealed after beloved comedian's tragic death

Daily Mail​02-06-2025
Foxtel has announced Cal Wilson's replacement on The Great Australian Bake Off, almost two years after she passed away aged 53.
Comedian Tom Baker will co-anchor the dessert competition alongside the show's regular host Natalie Tran.
Baker took to his social media to share the news with his fans.
He also included a series of colourful pictures from the set of the show, including one in which the funnyman can be seen rocking a black and white woolly sweater with a quirky swirl print.
'Hello I am the co-host on the Great Australian Bake-Off!' the Whose Line Is It Anyway? he said in the Instagram post.
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'They let me keep the cardigans and I am still not sure how to pronounce or spell mille-feuille!
'This was genuinely so much fun, I struggle to talk about and not sound completely nuts. The cast and crew were so welcoming, warm and funny and I am very, very, very happy.'
Best known as a stand-up comedian, Baker has won prizes at both the Sydney Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
He's also appeared on Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee.
Baker and Tran will be joined this season by judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese.
Wilson tragically died after filming episodes for season seven of the popular cooking competition in 2023.
She passed away on October 11, 2023 from a rare and aggressive cancer, just four weeks after taking herself to hospital with worrying lower back pain.
The Melbourne-based stand up comedian is survived by her husband Chris Woods and son Digby.
Fans were informed of her death in a statement shared to Instagram, confirming that the beloved comedian had passed away in a Sydney hospital.
'We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand up comedian, writer and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends in hospital after a short illness,' it read.
'Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community.'
One of Australia's top comedians, Wilson had a long and successful career in stand-up and on TV.
She had worked as a radio and television presenter, actress and author.
She starred on TV shows Spicks and Specks, Would I Lie To You and Good News Week.
She featured as host in episodes of The Great Australian Bake Off 2024.
'Cal's generosity, talent and friendships have been constant in the Australian comedy scene for the last twenty years,' her management company Token Artists said in a statement after her death.
'Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community.
Wilson filmed her Bake Off episodes before her illness made it impossible for her to continue to work.
'Season Seven holds a special place in all our hearts. Cal's passing was a devastating shock to the Bake Off family,' Foxtel senior staffer Wendy Moore said last year ahead of the show going to air.
Moore added Foxtel had the 'full support' of Wilson's family to ensure her terrific final series of Bake Off was aired.
Wilson only filmed four episodes before her passing and comedian Tran took over hosting duties for the rest of the series.
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Jamie Kern Lima also shared a behind-the-scenes look from their podcast earlier this year - including a rainbow fruit platter they had made together Kelly Mckee Zajfen shared an unseen black-and-white photograph of herself and the mother-of-two laughing together, while standing beside a fountain Meghan's As Ever brand has posted a gushing birthday tribute as she turned 44. Her lifestyle company took to Instagram with a black and white snapshot of the mother-of-two wearing a sundress and hat as she beamed into the distance. The caption enthused about Meghan and her role leading the company. 'Celebrating the woman behind it all,' it read. 'She pours her heart, vision and magic touch into every detail, and today, we raise a glass to her! Happy birthday to our founder.' It was then re-shared on As Ever's Instagram Story alongside two champagne flutes clinking together in celebration. 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She also wore a gold Cartier Love Bracelet, which costs up to £7,050, and a gold Cartier Tank Watch that once belonged to Princess Diana, both of which she regularly wears. The clip later showed a view of Meghan's swinging feet as she sits atop a stone garden wall, clad in £720 tan-coloured Hermes Santorini sandals. The words 'Coming soon...' appeared over the video to tease the launch of her new 2024 Napa Valley rosé. Shared on the official As Ever Instagram page last night, the caption read: 'Goodness in a glass. Right around the to August!' Meghan's latest post comes after she announced another product coming to her As Ever line - although some of her customers were baffled as to what was actually new. The Duchess launched her lifestyle brand As Ever earlier this year, releasing the first products in April, which included a range of teas, a raspberry spread, and a limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb, amongst other things. She followed it up with an apricot spread and another honey, and in July, she expanded into the world of alcohol when she dropped her own wine - the 2023 Napa Valley rosé. Each release has been met with fierce excitement from her fans, and every product has sold out pretty quickly. Now, the Duchess of Sussex 's brand has announced its newest product... but it might not garner the same amount of enthusiasm since it's not very different from her last item. The company revealed on Wednesday that following the buzz surrounding the 2023 Napa Valley rosé, it will be launching another wine, with a slight tweak - calling it the 2024 Napa Valley rosé. And it vowed that it will pretty much taste the same as As Ever's first wine. 'It marries the same harmony of notes from our first blend and creates an elegant medley of delicate yet memorable flavor,' reads a press release. 'You'll want to clink glasses with friends as the sun sets, toasting to a summer of joy. In the video, Meghan swings her Hermes-clad feet while sitting on a wall, her basket filled with flowers and bottles of wine Meghan described her new bottles as 'goodness in a glass' - as she launched the new line on her birthday Meghan Markle tried to stir up excitement over her new product announcement but it might be hard for customers to spot what's new with this one The company revealed on Wednesday that following the buzz surrounding the 2023 Napa Valley rosé, it will be launching another wine, called the 2024 Napa Valley rosé 'Barefoot or in sandals, dressed up or dressed down, this rosé may become your favorite accessory for alfresco lunches and dinners at dusk.' In the release, As Ever listed some of the positive feedback customers had given the company over its first rosé, which included comments like, '10 out of 10,' 'perfect,' and 'elevated flavor'. 'This affirmed all of the love, time and effort our team, and our founder, poured into curating this blend to evoke the sun drenched spirit of Napa Valley, and the breathtaking tenor of the California Coast,' As Ever added. 'Thank you for filling our cup. Now it's time for us to fill your glass! We are pleased to share that our 2024 Napa Valley rosé will be available for purchase next week.' The brand also posted to Instagram with a series of images showing the new wine resting in beach sand. It was uploaded alongside a caption that read: 'Oh, how we love seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Rosé colored glasses? Perhaps even better. 'Our new vintage of As Ever's beloved rosé is available next week. 'Stay tuned for more details and timing.' As Ever's first wine went on sale on July 1 and sold out within the hour.

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