The 44-year-old comedian was seen getting up and leaving the programme mid-way through the opening episode last night.
During a conversation with judges Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Sandi Toksvig, Noel was seen making a departure.
“We have to send somebody home,” Prue, 77, told her fellow judge Paul, 51.
It was then that Sandi, 59, chipped in as she jokingly suggested: “You could send Noel home.”
The Mighty Boosh star seemed to acquiesce as he said: “I’ll go, I’ll go now.”
Noel stood up to go as the judging duo started laughing amid his mock exit.
He added: “I’ll take a hit for the team. It’s been great. I’ve loved working with you guys.” Paul joked: “It’s nice meeting you,” as he shook Noel’s hand.
“Sandi will be fine,” Noel quipped as he walked off and let the trio continue their deliberations about who to send home.
Luckily the scenes were all in jest but it also sadly meant curtains for amateur baker Peter from Essex, who failed to make the cut.
The 52-year-old was sent home by the judges after a series of mishaps in which he put too much baking powder in his coconut cake in the signature challenge round and inadequately decorated 12 mini rolls with the wrong chocolate in a technical challenge.
On top of that, his final “illusion” cake was disappointingly described by the judges as “too simplistic”.
Last night marked The Great British Bake Off’s debut on Channel 4 since it departed from the BBC with around 6.5 million people tuning in to watch the opening episode.
Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 on Tuesdays at 8pm.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
