Latest news with #DarrenPurchese
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cal Wilson's replacement on Great Australian Bake Off revealed after beloved comedian's tragic death
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. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. '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.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Comedian Tom Walker joins Great Australian Bake Off as new co-host
A new co-host is set to join Great Australian Bake Off when Season 8 premieres on Foxtel and BINGE later this year. On Monday, the Foxtel Group announced that much-loved comedian Tom Walker will co-host the popular baking show alongside existing host Natalie Tran. Walker steps into the iconic shed for the first time with fan favourite Tran, and together they will be joined by esteemed returning judges, British culinary icon Rachel Khoo and Aussie pastry king Darren Purchese. Walker replaces former co-host, beloved comedian Cal Wilson, who sadly passed away from a sudden illness in 2023. 'I truly loved being a part of The Great Australian Bake Off,' Walker said in a statement. 'The whole crew is so warm, funny, welcoming and kind, and the bakers are so talented it blows my mind.' 'To the little boy who grew up thinking he'd never see a biscuitcity – you were wrong. I'm thrilled to be part of the Bake Off Family.' In a separate statement shared on Instagram, Walker – who rocks an eye-catching cardigan in the first promo pics – gushed: 'They let me keep the cardigans and I am still not sure how to pronounce or spell millefeuille! This was genuinely so much fun I struggle to talk about and not sound completely nuts … I am very, very, very happy.' Walker is no stranger to television, winning over viewers with his infectious charm on shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? Australia and Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee. The stand-up comic has also won accolades in his industry. In 2016, he won Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and that same year he nabbed the Director's Choice Award at the Sydney Comedy Festival. The hosting news comes almost two years after the death of Wilson, who hosted the show alongside Tran from 2022. The New Zealand-born comic and TV personality passed away in October 2023 following a short illness. She was 53. At the time of her death, Wilson had already filmed four episodes of Season 7, with Tran taking on hosting duties solo for the remainder of the season following the tragic news. 'Season 7 of The Great Australian Bake Off holds a special place in all our hearts,' Wendy Moore, Director of Foxtel Channels and Content and Lifestyle Group General Manager, said at the time. 'Cal's passing was a devastating shock to the Bake Off family, and she is dearly missed by everyone who knew her. Her deep love for this show and her unique blend of charisma and kindness brightened the shed every day.' Moore said it was with the full support of Wilson's family and 'with Cal in our hearts' that Season 7 was able to premiere 11 months after her death. 'This year, Bake Off holds a special place in our hearts and allows us to truly celebrate Cal,' Tran added ahead of last year's premiere. 'This season is a tribute to her memory, the incredible talent of our bakers, and the genuine camaraderie that makes the show so special.'
