Out of all the reality TV competition shows, The Great British Baking Show is known for its calm and soothing nature. Not only are the contestants dedicated to sportsmanship and encouragement, but the judges and hosts set the tone for the entire show. Back in 2017, after the show moved to a different channel in its native UK, long-time hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc were replaced with Sandi Toksvig (who was later replaced by Matt Lucas) and comedian/actor Noel Fielding.
Out of all the hosts that have presented TGBBS thus far, Fielding is by far the most memorable. With his eccentric wardrobe and hilarious banter with the rest of the cast, there is no doubting why fans adore him.
He Is 48 Years Old
When he first appeared on the show, his spritely energy and eclectic fashion choices suggested Fielding was just as young as some of the fresh-faced bakers. Fans would be surprised to find out that he was actually born in 1973 in London, England.
Raised by young parents who eventually split, Fielding had a somewhat untraditional childhood. His father remarried some years later, giving Fielding a younger brother, Michael Fielding, who would end up being a regular cast member on Fielding's television show, The Mighty Boosh.
He Was Founder Of "The Mighty Boosh" Comedy Troupe
While TGBBS is an addictive baking competition, cooking and baking are not what Fielding is known for. In fact, Fielding is best known in the UK as co-founder of The Mighty Boosh comedy troupe alongside Julian Barratt. Originally a series of 3 stage shows, The Mighty Boosh then produced a six-episode radio show before being given their own television series on BBC Three which aired from 2004-2007.
The Mighty Boosh TV series was known for its surreal humor and bizarre storylines, which often featured original songs. Eagle-eyed fans of the show will know that jokes from Mighty Boosh have even been referenced by Fielding during TGBBS when interacting with contestants.
His Personal Paintings Are Exhibited In London
Fielding's creative endeavors reach beyond his comedy and acting skills. He has created a plethora of abstract-themed art installations. His first-ever exhibition titled "Psychedelic Dreams of the Jelly Fox" in 2008 initiated his art career. This comes as no surprise to TGBBS fans, especially since the quirky host shows a multitude of different talents during filming.
Fielding has mentioned that his artistic style is heavily influenced by Salvador Dali, with his main mediums being drawing, painting, collage, and multimedia.
He Collaborated On A Fendi Menswear Collection
While TGBBS is known for outrageous bakes, Fielding is known for his equally outrageous fashion choices. Being the fashionista and artist that he is, it is only natural that Fendi approached Fielding to create drawings to feature on their 2021 autumn and winter menswear collection.
Seeing how Fielding rocks abstract and brightly colored button-ups and sweaters on The Great British Baking Show, he is the perfect fit to make a Fendi line that features exciting and radiant colors and drawings. As Fielding recounts to Dazed, for part of the collection he altered the Fendi logo with his "stream of consciousness" drawings, and the designs were used on sweaters, quilted coats, and box-style shirts.
He Founded The Music Group Loose Tapestries
If being a comedian, actor, and artist was not enough, Fielding is also the founder of a music group called the Loose Tapestries. Along with his partner on the project, Sergio Pizzorno from the band Kasabian, Loose Tapestries made two albums. They were originally made to provide music and sound snippets for Fielding's show entitled Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy.
Released in 2012, the group's first album was titled Loose Tapestries Presents the Luxury Comedy Tapes, and in 2016 they released their second album N.H.S (which features a surprising rap by award-winning actor Idris Elba). The music genre has been described as "surreal" and "new wave" by listeners.
He Was Named One of GQ's 50 Best Dressed British Men
Although his personal style is likely not to everyone's taste, the baking host always delivers fresh, and often unexpected, looks. In 2015 he was labeled as one of GQ magazine's top 50 best dressed British men. GQ stated, "the Mighty Boosh frontman is an original in both style and comedy," showing why he made it to spot number thirty-five on their list.
His eccentric style and unique self-branding definitely make him a memorable personality on TGBBS, so it is no surprise that the rest of the fashion world has taken notice.
He Has Two Daughters
Aside from his glittering career, Fielding is also a family man. In the newest season of The Great British Baking Show: Holidays, fans were concerned about Fielding's absence. The reason he was missing was the arrival of the newest addition to his family, daughter Iggy. He also has one older child, Dali (named after painter Salvador Dali). Both children are with his long-time partner Liliana Bird, who is a radio DJ.
The time spent away from the show was solely due to his paternity leave which was a great relief to devoted fans who were worried that he would join the list of permanently retired hosts of the show.
He Released His Own Art Book In 2011
Released in 2011, Fielding's book title The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton showcases his abundant collection of old and new artwork. Ranging from paintings and drawings to photography Fielding provides visual commentary and unique insight into his surreal mind.
He has said that these works are influenced by not only Dali but other famous artists such as Henri Rousseau and Roy Lichtenstein. Fellow Mighty Boosh cast member, Dave Brown, helped Fielding produce the book as well.
He Has Multiple University Degrees
Fielding has referenced going to art school a couple of times over the course of GBBTS, and it turns out that he has extensive education. He first received his bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Advertising from Buckinghamshire New University in 1995. Then after his influential and outstanding career participating in the arts, he earned an honorary master's degree from the same institution in 2011.
While it remains to be seen if Fielding himself could be one of the actors that would thrive on GBBTS, his credentials show that he is certainly not short on artistic talent and knowledge.
He Appeared As A Contestant On Taskmaster
Fans from the UK may already be familiar with the show Taskmaster, but for fans in the US, it may be unfamiliar. Each season, five British comedians, actors, and personalities compete in bizarre tasks in the hopes of impressing the show's Taskmaster, Greg Davies. In season 4 of the television game show, first aired in 2017, Fielding was crowned the champion.
Although Taskmaster is a world away from TGBBS and its soothing nature, Fielding brought his quick-witted jokes and innuendos to both shows.