Robert Webb Shares Why He Isn’t In The Great British Bake Off Peep Show Christmas Special

Robert Webb has explained why he isn’t joining his Peep Show castmates for the Great British Bake Off Christmas special.

The question has been nagging at fans of the cult Channel 4 comedy series ever since the reunion was announced last month, with David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie, Matt King and Sophie Winkleman (or as we know them: Mark, Sophie, Dobby, Super Hans and Big Suze) all signing up to compete in the tent.

Now, Robert has explained why other filming commitments meant he couldn’t be there.

“I do a kids’ show called High Hoops, which is about a girls’ basketball team for CBBC, and I was in Yorkshire doing that,” he told RadioTimes.

“I was already being very mean about my availability for them, so if I’d asked for another three days off, I think it would have been very unfair.”

Hosted by Bake Off regulars Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, the Christmas special teases “laughter and chaos” with various baking challenges that draw on the awkward mayhem of Peep Show.

Robert’s character Jez was central to the show, with his on-screen exploits like eating a barbequed dog, joining a cult, and sleeping with a defendant whilst on jury duty, all helping the sitcom to become one of the most celebrated British comedies of all time.

The series wrapped up in 2015 after nine seasons and 12 years, making it Channel 4’s longest-running sitcom to this day.

Peep Show continues to reach new generations and old fans in equal measure thanks to its residence on Netflix, while David and Robert continue to work together through projects like their recent sketch show Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping.

Meanwhile, for Olivia – whose major breakthrough came as Mark’s long-suffering love interest, Sophie – Peep Show set her up to become an Academy Award, BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Globe–winning actor.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off will air on Christmas Day at 7:40pm on Channel 4.