Matt Lucas left The Great British Bake Off primarily due to a heavy workload and other projects demanding his attention. He officially announced his departure in December 2022, stating that he could not continue presenting both the Bake Off and Fantasy Football League alongside his other commitments. Additionally, Lucas later revealed that wanting to collaborate again with his good friend David Walliams creatively influenced his decision to leave, as they started working together on a new project. There was also speculation and some indication that involvement in film projects, such as Gladiator II, aligned with the timing of his Bake Off exit, although this was not stated as the sole reason. Alison Hammond replaced him as co-host after his departure. His exit was amicable, with co-host Noel Fielding expressing his respect and sadness about Lucas leaving the show.