Is Noel Fielding ill? What happened to Bake Off judge - and did he miss week 5 showstopper due to illness

The Great British Bake Off is full of unlikely characters, big personalities and homebaked talent - none more so than host Noel Fielding.

The host makes up one half of the hilarious GBBO duo, starring alongside Matt Lucas.

However, during German-themed week there was a noticeable absence as Fielding didn’t host the showstopper challenge or judging.

So, where was he - and did he return for the rest of the series? This is what you need to know.

Is Noel Fielding ill?

Noel Fielding was forced to miss day two of German week, meaning he missed out on the showstopper challenge and judging.

His hosting partner Matt Lucas informed the eight remaining bakers that Fielding had taken ill overnight.

The comedian, 48, had hosted the day before and so appeared in episode five for the majority of the show as he presented the signature and technical challenge.

Matt informed the bakers: “He’s feeling a little under the weather.”

The bakers then proceeded with the challenge, taking four hours to produce yeast-leavened cakes.

Despite the impressive work of the bakers, fans couldn’t help but feel the tent was lacking a little bit of talent.

One concerned fan wrote: “What was wrong with Noel, he was there a minute ago having a laugh, now he’s a bit under the weather! #GBBO.”

Another Fielding fan added: “Now I can’t focus on the showstoppers??!! WHERE’S NOEL, is he okay??!!  #GBBO.”

A third Tweeted: “Where was Noel at the end?  #GBBO.”

However, it is worth noting that all GBBO episodes are filmed in advance and Fielding has worked since.

Will he be back on the show next week?

Worried fans raised their concerns about Fielding’s illness, as one eagle-eyed viewers even took to Twitter so suggest he won’t be back on the show next week.

“I didn’t see #noel in the clip for next week? #GBBO sooooooo is he ok? @noelfielding11,” they tweeted.

But when the Bakers hit our screens on 26 October for pastry week, Fielding was back with his hilarious puns and no mention of his mystery illness from the week before.

Great British Bake Off continues on Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.