Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton has been announced as the new presenter of the Great American Baking Show, the US version of the Great British Bake Off.
Bunton will join the show for its fourth season on ABC, co-hosting alongside former NFL player Anthony “Spice” Adams.
Bunton is no stranger to reality television, having previously been a judge on celebrity ice-skating show Dancing on Ice and a host of Don’t Stop Believing, a glee club competition. She currently co-hosts the breakfast show on Heart FM.
American versions of Bake Off have been beset by scandals. Last year, one of the judges, pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini, was fired from the show after multiple sexual harassment allegations. After Iuzzini was let go, the remainder of the season was never aired and the winner announced via social media.
A 2013 attempt to bring the show to CBS only lasted one season. The competition was overshadowed by news that married judge Paul Hollywood was having an affair with his co-judge, Marcela Valladolid, during filming. Hollywood, who has since separated from his wife, will also be returning for the forthcoming season, alongside new a judge, chef and author Sherry Yard.
Speaking on her radio show, Bunton said it is a “dream job” but that Hollywood is “trouble”. She also said revealed she is still getting use to language differences, after she announced it was biscuit week rather than cookie week.
