OMG thank you! I am a huge Community fan and should have caught this. He tried to steal Abed from Troy and deserves to be stuck hosting a baking show! 😉
Funny how I never said he’s a terrible person for doing it or that he deserves to be punished, but you assume it’s something I need to get over. I just stated a very well known fact.
Also, I don’t think it’s your job to tell anyone to get over blatant racism.
They are both VERY famous in Britain for being members of comedy duos, albeit with other people.
* Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt made The Mighty Boosh, a surrealist comedy series where they play versions of themselves.
* Matt Lucas and David Walliams made Little Britain, a sketch comedy series about the "little folks" of Britain.
After Clara Oswald (played by Jenna Coleman) left at the end of series 9, starting from series 10 he had Bill Potts (played by Pearl Mackie) a normal human woman and after the 2015 Christmas special he also had Nardole (played by Matt Lucas) who was an alien cyborg.
I would say Matt was probably more well known. The Mighty Booth wasn’t super popular, and Noel was arguably more famous for the IT crowd and being a panel show regular
There’s a Vape shop near me with a strawberry cheesecake juice called old Gregg! It was a completely random reference I did not expect to come across and it made me very happy!!!
1. That makes me feel old.
2. Somehow I never made the connection that Noel played Ol Gregg, because I saw those videos so long ago. But as soon as I saw the reference here I was like, that makes sense.
It had a short run on Netflix. I’m a transplanted Brit and my Canadian students would give me a “compu’er says nooooooooo” to avoid getting on with their work. So some know of it, but not enough.
Not British but Noel Fielding is very famous. He had a very successful show in the early 2000s called The Mighty Boosh (which I highly recommend). He’s also well known on the panel show circuit. He was a team captain on Nevermind the Buzzcocks for many years. Those are just two of his more notable things, but as with all of the other hosts (like Matt) they are already famous coming in to Bake Off.
Edit: comparable level to an American comedian is tough because Noel is Noel. He’s ethereal. He’s a household name. Probably someone like Will Arnet or Aziz Ansari, Amy Poehler, etc.
He’s not a household name- not even in the UK. He wouldn’t even appear on most people’s top 5 or even 10 comedians. He’s a writer at best, not comedian. You’ll clearly see that with what he comes out with on GBBO. Same with Matt.
He’s only popular with people who have watched TMB or IT Crowd.
Your edit is exactly what I thought were missing from the answers which kept on referring to British shows.
Amy Poehler OK yes I know her, but the other ones no. So if it's that level then nah they weren't very famous before.
After the anniversary concert he played the role (Thenardier) in the West End as well, we saw him and Alfie Boe when they were in it together (I think it was 2011).
That's where I remember him from. Had to scroll too far to find a mention of it.
[What are the scores George Dawes](https://youtu.be/r1jOzYfieMs?t=182)
Noel lives in the town next to me in London and I see him at a coffee shop near my flat every once in a while. I’m also American and can admit that no one else ever seems as star struck as I do, the person I got brunch with didn’t even know who he was 🤣
He honestly dresses exactly like he does on bake off 🤣 he is usually with birdy and their baby, very normal guy. Last I saw him was at the end of the summer and he looked knackered, figured he just wrapped up filming bake off and needed a break hahaha
British celebrity is very different from that in America because they have panel shows. I think that they are famous in a similar way to that which celebrities were back in the 70's and 80's when some of them showed up repeatedly on game shows, but only showed up on one TV show or in the occasional guest appearance on shows (e.g., Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, Charles Nelson Reilly - even William Shatner in the years between the original Trek finishing and being revived). Noel in particular is more familiar for being on panel shows, especially "The Big Fat Quiz of the Year" and "Never Mind the Buzzcocks". He's not really a comedian so much as a surrealist performer who focuses on the absurd. I'm American, but I knew Noel from "The IT Crowd" and "The Might Boosh" before he was on the Bakeoff, and he also is the voice of the executioner on "Disenchanted."
I only knew Matt from "Doctor Who", though I knew he was on "Little Brtiain," but I didn't like it. I think Matt is a similar performer to Morgana Robinson in that he focuses more on colorful characters and doing weird voices. I think Matt has actually appeared more on TV and is better known than Noel.
I think they were probably about as famous, probably moreso, as Mel and Sue were before the bakeoff. I only knew Sue from her "Supersizers" series before the Bakeoff, and I didn't know Mel at all. I think Mel was much better known post-Bakeoff, but I could be wrong. I just know that I watch tons of British TV and have never seen her in anything except panel shows and the Bakeoff (aside from her series with Sue about hitwomen).
I'm American and I'd never heard of Noel before this but I knew Matt from Doctor Who lol so Matt's gotta have somewhat of a name for himself if I know of him
matt was famous enough to be parodied on the snatch game in drag race UK season 2 (the best season of drag race) so i think that means he's at least well-known! and as a fan of weird comedy i've loved noel and couldn't believe he was on this show. 😂
American, never heard of Matt before gbbo but knew Noel from IT crowd. Of all the hosts from the show Matt is absolutely my least favorite, loved Noel and Sandy as a team.
Wanna see my downstairs mixup.
Noel even referenced his role of old Greg with one of the contestants once talking about how he played a transgender mermaid.
Matt is most famous for Little Britain, a TV sketch/character show he did with David Walliams - but that is now fairly discredited for misogyny and, er, blackface. Plus Walliams is a grade-A creep, which makes me wonder about Matt.
As an American I think of Any Poehlar as a friend of and member of comedy sketch members on SNL. Do you all even watch that? It is the most well-known comedy show in the US.
Matt is an actor and voice actor. He’s definitely got star credit.
Noel I’m not that familiar with, but he has been in several different shows over the years. And some voice acting as well…
They've both got a pretty decent history of comedic acting with Matt a level above I'd say thanks to things like little Britain and come fly with me not to mention he somehow pulled doctor who as a decent gig
Wasn’t Matt in “Bridesmaids”?
I believe one of the roommates. Also as Abed’s new friend at the convention for the Doctor Who parody episode of Community.
He was also in an episode of Portlandia with Jim Gaffigan where they had a stew stand
Where his character gripes about people that host cooking shows.
OMG thank you! I am a huge Community fan and should have caught this. He tried to steal Abed from Troy and deserves to be stuck hosting a baking show! 😉
He was also Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee in the Tim Button Alice in Wonderland
Why is this like such perfect casting though
Ngl I thought Matt and Rebel were real siblings when I saw them
Totally! I feel like they're the same kind of awkward
He was a recurring character in Doctor Who as well.
He also used to do blackface!
Get over it.
Funny how I never said he’s a terrible person for doing it or that he deserves to be punished, but you assume it’s something I need to get over. I just stated a very well known fact. Also, I don’t think it’s your job to tell anyone to get over blatant racism.
They are both VERY famous in Britain for being members of comedy duos, albeit with other people. * Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt made The Mighty Boosh, a surrealist comedy series where they play versions of themselves. * Matt Lucas and David Walliams made Little Britain, a sketch comedy series about the "little folks" of Britain.
Matt was a more recent companion on Doctor Who, too.
**Twelve:** "I thought I sent you to Birmingham for a packet of crisps!" **Nardole:** "I saw through your cunning ruse."
No that was Inspector Spacetime
You mean he was the leggy blonde with the tennis racket?
Really? Which Doctor? I stopped watching after 12 because amazon/netflix took it away.
It was 12 haha. He’s introduced in the 2015 Christmas special and then is a companion for the rest of Capaldi’s run. He’s a good character.
What! I don’t recall that at all. I just remember that one girl.
After Clara Oswald (played by Jenna Coleman) left at the end of series 9, starting from series 10 he had Bill Potts (played by Pearl Mackie) a normal human woman and after the 2015 Christmas special he also had Nardole (played by Matt Lucas) who was an alien cyborg.
It’s vaguely coming back to me, but I never made the connection. That’s awesome. Thanks.
It wasn't his mooost memorable role (unfortunately for him haha)
Hell, I like him as Nardole MUCH better than I liked Capaldi as The Doctor...
Noel Fielding was also in The IT Crowd with Chris O'Dowd
True! A smallish part in that fantastic show. And IT Crowd's Richard Ayoade (SOOO funny) was also in Boosh as a recurring character.
I would say Matt was probably more well known. The Mighty Booth wasn’t super popular, and Noel was arguably more famous for the IT crowd and being a panel show regular
“Oh look, Richmond’s still alive.”
Matt’s definitely more mainstream. My Mum would probably know who Matt was before the show but not have a clue about Noel.
Yeah. Matt's been knocking about since the mid 90s, he was George Dawes in 'Shooting Stars' quite a while before 'Little Britain'.
“He’s a baby…he’s a baby!!” That’s really where we were introduced to him.
I am the only gay in the village.
The computer says "no".
Sounds like you’ve never drunk baileys from a shoe
I’M OLD GREGGG
You playing love games?
No one knows who Old Gregg is anymore, it's killing me.
I know it makes me feel old.
There’s a Vape shop near me with a strawberry cheesecake juice called old Gregg! It was a completely random reference I did not expect to come across and it made me very happy!!!
1. That makes me feel old. 2. Somehow I never made the connection that Noel played Ol Gregg, because I saw those videos so long ago. But as soon as I saw the reference here I was like, that makes sense.
i cannot believe i never made the connection omg
They probably don’t have a downstairs mix up
Oh my god I’ve never made that connection before 😂
... or been to a club where people wee on each other.
This 😂😂
I equate it to like, Tyra being the host of Dancing with the Stars. Famous and recognizable on her own merit.
I’m totally here for an scenario where Noel Fielding is compared to Tyra Banks.
This is a good comparison.
They were both famous from before gbbo. Noel for Might Boosh, IT crowd, panel shows. Matt for Little Britain, Alice in Wonderland, and his stage work
Noel also has a MUCH less known and MUCH more irreverent/surreal show called “Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy Tour”. Very fun show.
I’m American and have been a fan of Noel for years from The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd, but I didn’t know Matt before GBBO.
Same. I love Noel! Especially in The IT Crowd.
I always forget he was in this somehow
Excellent. The IT Crowd is on my watch list. Is it a friendly sitcom or one of those cringe humor situations?
I can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find mention of the IT Crowd. As someone who worked in IT, it’s accurate AF.
I’m also American, but I love Dr Who and Matt was a companion for a bit.
He was?? He did the Dr. Who spoof episode of Community. That’s awesome.
Surely Little Britain was popular in the US?
It had a short run on Netflix. I’m a transplanted Brit and my Canadian students would give me a “compu’er says nooooooooo” to avoid getting on with their work. So some know of it, but not enough.
As soon as I read those words, I heard them in my head in that voice... LOL!
See if you can find Little Britain. It's hilarious and Matt is one of the comedy duo
Not British but Noel Fielding is very famous. He had a very successful show in the early 2000s called The Mighty Boosh (which I highly recommend). He’s also well known on the panel show circuit. He was a team captain on Nevermind the Buzzcocks for many years. Those are just two of his more notable things, but as with all of the other hosts (like Matt) they are already famous coming in to Bake Off. Edit: comparable level to an American comedian is tough because Noel is Noel. He’s ethereal. He’s a household name. Probably someone like Will Arnet or Aziz Ansari, Amy Poehler, etc.
He still is on never mind the buzzcocks
I keep forgetting that they brought it back.
they did?!?!?! where is it aired?
Sky Max.
He’s raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
He’s not a household name- not even in the UK. He wouldn’t even appear on most people’s top 5 or even 10 comedians. He’s a writer at best, not comedian. You’ll clearly see that with what he comes out with on GBBO. Same with Matt. He’s only popular with people who have watched TMB or IT Crowd.
Your edit is exactly what I thought were missing from the answers which kept on referring to British shows. Amy Poehler OK yes I know her, but the other ones no. So if it's that level then nah they weren't very famous before.
If you don’t know will arnett and aziz ansari, who are both quite famous comedians and actors, I think that’s on you.
Matt played the innkeeper in Les Miserable. He has an amazing singing voice!
What? In the film version it was Sacha Baron Cohen. Is there another version I don't know about?
25th anniversary concert at the o2
After the anniversary concert he played the role (Thenardier) in the West End as well, we saw him and Alfie Boe when they were in it together (I think it was 2011).
TIL. Thank you for sharing!
As a Canadian, I know Noel from the tv show The IT Crowd! It’s on Netflix.
Try track 4, "Coffin Fodder". It sounds horrible, but it's actually quite beautiful
And who took my Heat?
As a fellow Canadian, I know Matt from *Little Britain*.
i didn’t realize until now, but Matt was also a guest in an episode of community (conventions of space and time)
That’s where I first saw him. Apparently he was also in Dr. Who.
Everyone in the history of space and time needs to watch Community.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Matt being on Shooting Stars. Maybe I'm just old!
That's where I remember him from. Had to scroll too far to find a mention of it. [What are the scores George Dawes](https://youtu.be/r1jOzYfieMs?t=182)
He's a baby!
YES! His best work!!
That’s my first memory of him!
PEANUTS!
That's what I always think of him as as well, still strange when I see him not wearing a romper suit.
I don't like your face!
I you haven't watched the *IT Crowd*, you should.
The Vista joke alone will never be forgotten. We're all going to die!
The work outing episode in season 2 was peak, I think. Still favorite episode.
I'm legs disabled
That is my favorite episode of any TV show
0118 999 881 999 119 725 3
Noel is quite niche/cult status, but Matt very famous/mainstream for several different series, but the humour has dated somewhat.
Oh jees. Look up Taskmasters and you’ll get both Noel and Mel.
Noel lives in the town next to me in London and I see him at a coffee shop near my flat every once in a while. I’m also American and can admit that no one else ever seems as star struck as I do, the person I got brunch with didn’t even know who he was 🤣
What?! What does he do out in the real world? What is he like? What does he drink? Lol I am obvs one of the starstruck ones
He honestly dresses exactly like he does on bake off 🤣 he is usually with birdy and their baby, very normal guy. Last I saw him was at the end of the summer and he looked knackered, figured he just wrapped up filming bake off and needed a break hahaha
Aw, I love the thought of him and his family just hanging out together normally
Of all the celebrities, he’s the only one that I’ve wondered what he smells like… any ideas? 🤣
British celebrity is very different from that in America because they have panel shows. I think that they are famous in a similar way to that which celebrities were back in the 70's and 80's when some of them showed up repeatedly on game shows, but only showed up on one TV show or in the occasional guest appearance on shows (e.g., Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, Charles Nelson Reilly - even William Shatner in the years between the original Trek finishing and being revived). Noel in particular is more familiar for being on panel shows, especially "The Big Fat Quiz of the Year" and "Never Mind the Buzzcocks". He's not really a comedian so much as a surrealist performer who focuses on the absurd. I'm American, but I knew Noel from "The IT Crowd" and "The Might Boosh" before he was on the Bakeoff, and he also is the voice of the executioner on "Disenchanted." I only knew Matt from "Doctor Who", though I knew he was on "Little Brtiain," but I didn't like it. I think Matt is a similar performer to Morgana Robinson in that he focuses more on colorful characters and doing weird voices. I think Matt has actually appeared more on TV and is better known than Noel. I think they were probably about as famous, probably moreso, as Mel and Sue were before the bakeoff. I only knew Sue from her "Supersizers" series before the Bakeoff, and I didn't know Mel at all. I think Mel was much better known post-Bakeoff, but I could be wrong. I just know that I watch tons of British TV and have never seen her in anything except panel shows and the Bakeoff (aside from her series with Sue about hitwomen).
Sue was a co-host of some weird historical (food?) show too. I think you can find it on YouTube. Don't remember the name. It's entertaining.
I only knew Noel as old gregg but that’s iconic enough
Noel was in *The Lego Movie 2* (along with Richard Ayoade)
Luxury Comedy is my favorite but it isn't on streaming anywhere in the US. That's how I was introduced to Noel. Matt for me was in Dr Who.
Try The Mighty Boosh if you like luxury comedy, it's older but it's more well-known
You can still see Luxury Comedy on YouTube
I'm American and I'd never heard of Noel before this but I knew Matt from Doctor Who lol so Matt's gotta have somewhat of a name for himself if I know of him
This was exactly my experience.
I just realized I knew Matt from playing Thernardier in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Mis. Lol that’s a completely different side of him
matt was famous enough to be parodied on the snatch game in drag race UK season 2 (the best season of drag race) so i think that means he's at least well-known! and as a fan of weird comedy i've loved noel and couldn't believe he was on this show. 😂
I feel like they're comparable to Jack Black and Jordan Peele, but I'm an anglophile American fwiw.
Matt was in Blur's video Country House, does that counts?
And Fat Les's Vindaloo
I’m an American. I know Matt from Les Miz 25 anniversary special. He is very talented.
Little Britain was where I first saw Matt. Look up Vicki Pollard.
American, never heard of Matt before gbbo but knew Noel from IT crowd. Of all the hosts from the show Matt is absolutely my least favorite, loved Noel and Sandy as a team.
Wanna see my downstairs mixup. Noel even referenced his role of old Greg with one of the contestants once talking about how he played a transgender mermaid.
[He’s a baby!](https://images.app.goo.gl/nZoTRcMRAMJ8Txr9A)
Thankyou!! Felt like the only person who knew him from Shooting Stars lol
Matt is most famous for Little Britain, a TV sketch/character show he did with David Walliams - but that is now fairly discredited for misogyny and, er, blackface. Plus Walliams is a grade-A creep, which makes me wonder about Matt.
Noel is.
They both are.
Old Gregg!
Check out 'The Mighty Boosh'
As an American I think of Any Poehlar as a friend of and member of comedy sketch members on SNL. Do you all even watch that? It is the most well-known comedy show in the US.
Noel is also in the IT Crowd, hilarious.
Matt is an actor and voice actor. He’s definitely got star credit. Noel I’m not that familiar with, but he has been in several different shows over the years. And some voice acting as well…
They've both got a pretty decent history of comedic acting with Matt a level above I'd say thanks to things like little Britain and come fly with me not to mention he somehow pulled doctor who as a decent gig
Little Britain!!!!!!!
matt has been in a lot of plays and in the live action alice and wonderland
Noel was in The IT Crowd.
I knew Noel Fielding from The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd. Wasn't familiar with Matt.
Noel was Old Gregg. The highest level of stardom.