Stay alert, protect cake, save loaves - that was the message from comedian Matt Lucas as he made his presenting debut on The Great British Bake Off.
The Little Britain star, 46, donned a blonde wig to kick off the eleventh series of the much-loved baking contest with an impression of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He appeared behind a podium in a sketch mimicking the Prime Minister’s coronavirus briefings at the start of the episode.
The skit came immediately after Mr Johnson addressed the nation at 8pm to share an update on further measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The announcement pushed back the Bake Off’s scheduled start time by 15 minutes.
“We are saying with regards to baking, if you must bake in a tent, bake in a tent,” Lucas said, before adding: “But please don’t bake in a tent.”
“We are asking people to use common sense with regards to the distribution of hundreds and thousands,” he continued.
Reflecting the format of the daily briefings, which saw journalists ask questions over video link, Lucas then handed over to his fellow presenter Noel Fielding, who asked him “just one quick question” about the correct pronunciation of “scone.”
The camera then panned out to reveal judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith standing behind podiums.
Great British Bake Off 2020 - In pictures
The sketch echoed a video posted on social media by Lucas during the nationwide lockdown in May, which saw the comedian take aim at the official messaging around Covid-19.
Lucas’ debut appeared to be a huge hit with viewers, who noted the fortunate timing of his joke.
The 11th series of the Bake Off was delayed due to the pandemic, but filming was eventually able to take place with social distancing measures in place.
A voiceover during the first episode explained how the 12 contestants had volunteered “to leave their loved ones behind and live in a Bake Off bubble” to make the set Covid secure.
The Great British Bake Off continues Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4