Noel Fielding’s wife Lliana Bird shared a cryptic post about the new year at the same time her husband pulled out of a comedy series due to ill health.
The Great British Bake Off host, 51, sparked fears after he abruptly pulled out of filming for Apple TV’s The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.
After a successful first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming for a second series took place at the end of last year.
But when filming was set to resume after the Christmas holidays, cast and crew were told it had been axed three-quarters of the way into the shoot.
And on New Year’s Day, around the same time his sudden mystery health fears arose, writer Lliana, 43, took to Instagram to share her positive thoughts for the year ahead.
Sharing a motivational Banksy art piece, Lliana wrote: ‘Happy new year beauties, may your next quarter century be full of love, joy and laughter xx via @banksy.’
Noel Fielding’s wife Lliana Bird shared a cryptic post about the new year at the same time her husband pulled out of a comedy series due to ill health (Pictured together in March)
Sharing a motivational Banksy art piece, Lliana wrote: ‘Happy new year beauties, may your next quarter century be full of love, joy and laughter xx via @banksy’
It was reported earlier this month that Noel did not show up for Dick Turpin filming after the Christmas holidays, despite two thirds of the series already filmed.
Dick Turpin insiders said Noel, who played the lead role of the legendary highwayman, was unavailable for scheduled and rescheduled filming dates.
Cast and crew were told this week it has been scrapped due to ‘the illness of a key cast member’.
A spokesperson for Noel told the Mail: ‘This is a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health.
‘We are saddened by the decision to cease production but we cannot make any further comment on this matter.’
It is understood that the presenter is recuperating in France.
A source close to the show told The Times: ‘Noel has said that he can’t film any more and so there was no choice but to stop.
‘It’s not a decision that was taken lightly and they wouldn’t have got to this extreme result if every possible solution hadn’t been exhausted.
The Great British Bake Off host, 51, sparked fears after he abruptly pulled out of filming for Apple TV’s The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin
On New Year’s Day, around the same time his sudden mystery health fears arose, writer Lliana, 43, took to Instagram to share her positive thoughts for the year ahead (Pictured together in September 2023)
After a successful first series, which he co-wrote and starred in, filming for a second series took place at the end of last year (pictured in show)
‘People have been very concerned about Noel’s wellbeing and given him time to recover but there are also significant repercussions. Some people are furious.’
Now Love Productions, the makers of GBBO, which begins filming its next series in April, are said to be concerned for the star’s future and are drawing up contingency plans if Noel is forced to withdraw from the series also.
An insider said: ‘Everyone at Love Productions was, of course, worried to learn about Noel’s ill health, and will do everything they can to support him.
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‘Nothing is set in stone, but they are preparing for every possible outcome and have plans in place if Noel is unable to continue as host on series 16.’
Noel’s partner Lliana Bird was born on August 17 1981 and is a British radio presenter and author, who formerly presented the Sunday evening show on Radio X.
The couple began dating in 2010, shortly after Noel found success with his British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, and the pair have been inseparable since.
They reportedly met while working on the BBC Three show Him & Her.
The multi-talented presenter is thought to reside in leafy Highgate, North London with his partner.
The couple are not yet married but they have two children first daughter Dali, born in April 2018, and second daughter Iggy, born in August 2020.
During August in 2018, Lliana revealed the couple were expecting their second child on her Instagram page, showing off her baby bump while cooking pancakes.
But when it was set to resume after Christmas, cast and crew were told it had been axed three-quarters of the way into the shoot
Now Love Productions, the makers of the Channel 4 baking show, which begins filming its next series in April, are said to be concerned for the star’s future and are drawing up contingency plans if Noel is forced to withdraw from the series
Revealing the bump, the presenter told her followers that she would be taking maternity leave from her radio show.
Noel has presented Bake Off since it moved to Channel 4 in 2017, co-hosting with Sandi Toksvig and later Matt Lucas.
Back in 2021 the star sparked concern after he suddenly disappeared halfway through an episode of the Channel 4 show with a mystery illness.
Co-host Matt told viewers: ‘Okay Bakers, Noel is feeling a little under the weather, but we’re going to carry on…’ as he took on the duties solo for the last 10 minutes of the show.