The Great British Bake Off is returning with its 14th series tomorrow, to the delight fans and baking fanatics across the nation.
Tomorrow’s episode will air at 7pm, and, as per the trend set by previous series’, episodes are expected to air at 8pm every Tuesday on Channel 4.
The contestants for the new series of The Great British Bake Off have been announced, with the show’s first ever deaf baker featuring on the line-up, as well as a scientist, an accountant and a retired flight attendant introduced.
With Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith reprising their roles as judges, the new series will mark the arrival of vivacious new co-host Alison Hammond, alongside comedian Noel Fielding, 50, who has hosted the show since 2017.
But who is Noel Fielding’s long-term partner Lliana Bird – who he has been with for 13 years – how did they meet, and how many children do they share?
Who is Lliana Bird?
Long term love: Noel Fielding and Lliana Bird have been together for 13 years, after meeting on The Mighty Boosh in 2010 (pictured together in 2019)
Multitalented: As well as formerly presenting on Radio X, Lliana is also a writer, director, actress, podcaster and co-founder of charities Help Refugees and theKindly Collective
According to The Sun, Lliana Bird, 42, was born on August 17, 1981, and is a British radio presenter, who formerly presented the Sunday evening show on Radio X.
Lliana – also known as Birdy – is also a writer, director, actress, podcaster and co-founder of charities Help Refugees and theKindly Collective.
She writes for the Huffington Post on an array of social issues, going on to become a published author in 2016 with the release of her debut book, The Mice Who Sing for Sex.
Earlier this month, on September 14, Lliana released a second book, aimed at young children, called Baboo the Unusual Bee, about a hip-hop loving, bright pink bee.
She has starred in various theatre shows, and owns a production company called Bird & Be.
Lliana has also appeared as a guest commentator on Sky News and BBC Breakfast.
While Lliana resides in London, her mother and other family members live in Israel – with the presenter revealing in 2021 how her mother was ‘in and out of bomb shelters’ during the Gaza attacks in Jerusalem.
The activist previously stated in 2014 in an article for The Huffington Post that she is both ‘Pro-Israeli’ and ‘Pro-Palestinian’ and explained her stance, in that both sides ‘have the right to exist.’
Family: While Lliana resides in London, her mother and other family members live in Israel. In 2021, she revealed how her mother was ‘in and out of bomb shelters’ during Gaza attacks
A Mighty crush: The couple began dating in 2010, not long after Noel found fame with psychedelic comedy The Mighty Boosh, and after Lliana had appeared in episodes of the show
Writer: Lliana became a published author in 2016 with the release of her debut book, The Mice Who Sing for Sex, before releasing a second book this month, called Baboo the Unusual Bee
When did Lliana Bird and Noel Fielding meet?
The couple began dating in 2010, not long after Noel found fame with psychedelic comedy The Mighty Boosh, and after Lliana had appeared in several episodes of the sketch show.
Since then, the pair have been in a relationship and now live together in leafy Highgate, North London.
The couple are not yet married, but announced in March 2018 that they were expecting their first child together.
Do the pair have children?
Lliana and Noel have two children together, first daughter Dali, 5, born in April 2018, and second daughter Iggy, 3, born in August 2020.
In early August 2018, Lliana revealed the couple were expecting their second child on her Instagram page, showing off her baby bump while cooking pancakes.
Revealing the bump, the presenter told her followers that she would be taking maternity leave from her radio show.
Dali was allegedly named after one of Noel’s favourite artists – Salvador Dali, renowned for his surrealist works.
Although the couple prefer to conceal their children’s identities from the public, Lliana does take some pleasure in sporadically uploading artistic expressions created by eldest Dali.
The mother proudly showcases her eldest’s work from time to time – from colourful drawings of the England women’s football team, to adorable family portraits, to a ‘self-portrait’ configuration of an outfit carefully selected by Dali herself.
Cosy brood: Lliana and Noel have two children together, first daughter Dali, 5, born in April 2018, and second daughter Iggy, 3, born in August 2020
Creative: Eldest daughter Dali was allegedly named after one of Noel’s favourite artists – Salvador Dali, renowned for his surrealist works, and often produces pieces of art herself
Self portrait: Although the couple prefer to conceal their children’s identities from the public, Lliana does take some pleasure in sporadically uploading artistic expressions by eldest Dali
