When it was announced that ‘The Great British Bake Off’ was moving from its home of seven years on the BBC to Channel 4, many fans of the show immediately made their feelings known.
Cries of ‘they’re going to ruin it’, ‘we don’t want ad breaks’ and plenty of other unrepeatable and, let’s be honest, seriously OTT stuff echoed across social media
In fact, some viewers were so peeved that they even declared they were going to boycott the show altogether.
Despite the dust settling and everyone calming down a bit, many fans were still convinced that their beloved show would never be the same again.
True, presenters Mel and Sue decided they wouldn’t be moving with the show, as did ‘Bake Off’ matriarch Mary Berry, and yes there will be ad breaks, but is Channel 4’s incarnation of ‘Bake Off’ really that different to the Beeb’s?
Here’s 9 reasons why the show is still (ahem) exceedingly good in its new home.
*Warning: There are a few (small) spoilers ahead.
1. They haven’t messed about with the format
Firstly, with the exception of the aforementioned changes, the format is EXACTLY the same. Soothing music? Tick. Iconic tent? Oh yes. Three challenges per episode? Present and correct. As are the contents of the tent, the sweeping camera angles, the gingham, THE TENSION. We promise you IT’S ALL THERE.
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Channel 4
2. Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig are the double act we didn’t know we needed
No, they’re not Mel and Sue, but they are as brilliantly subversive, irreverent, naughty, warm and bloody hilarious as their predecessors, but with their own unique twist.
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Channel 4
3. Prue Leith is a minx
Aside from having one of the best wardrobes (and accessory collections) on TV, Prue, just like Mary before her, has a twinkle in her eye but is, dare we say it, flirtier. In the first episode she tells 19-year-old contestant Liam: “I want to come to yours for breakfast.” “Anytime,” he responds. Paul Hollywood’s reaction is priceless.
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4. The new series features the usual mix of talented contestants from all walks of life
Series eight features a former army officer, a stay-at-home mum, a bio-medical scientist, an IT manager, a health and safety inspector, an architect, a marketing executive, a student and a (lovely) granny from Liverpool.
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5. Mary’s legendary jackets are back
Except Mary isn’t wearing them - Sandi Toksvig is. Let’s just say she really isn’t afraid of a colourful bold print.
6. Innuendo is in (not out)
Forget what you’ve read about the classic ‘Bake Off’ innuendos being dumped for a more “modern” approach. At one point Noel declares he’s “looking forward to a moist clutch”. Whilst, Prue announces “I don’t know what he’s doing but I want to stick my finger in it.” MATRON!
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7. The ultimate feel-good show is still just that
Considering a preview of the first episode was aired in front of an audience of notoriously cynical hacks, there were many genuine laugh out loud moments. But as one contestant tells Sandi, “Joking can only get you so far”. “Oh thanks a lot,” she replies. That’s her told.
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Channel 4
8. But that’s ok, because the standard is extraordinarily HIGH
Paul Hollywood has boldly claimed that this year’s bunch of amateur bakers are “the best yet”. Get ready for that famous Hollywood handshake, which comes out on more than one occasion in the first episode alone. And as for that watermelon cake. Genius.
9. But it doesn’t always go well
Episode one features not one, but two ‘bincidents’ and a lot of quivering lips and watery eyes. And hey, it wouldn’t be ’Bake Off without someone forgetting to turn the oven on.
‘The Great British Bake Off’ airs every Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
Most Controversial Great British Bake Off Moments
#BinGate(01 of18)
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The moment none of us could have anticipated would be one of the top entertainment stories of 2014, Iain Watters made headlines when his ruined Baked Alaska wound up in the bin, which he then frustratedly presented to the judges as his finished product. (credit:BBC)
Diana gets bombarded with hate(02 of18)
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The ramifications of #BinGate were, as previously mentioned, unprecentedly massive. Mainly for Iain's fellow contestant, Diana Beard, who found herself on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse, when she was accused of sabotaging Iain's Baked Alaska.
Paul Hollywood and Sue Perkins both piped up to defend Diana, while a statement from the BBC insisted: "Diana removing Iain's ice cream from the freezer for less than a minute was in no way responsible for Iain’s departure." (credit:BBC)
Paul Hollywood makes the jump to Channel 4(03 of18)
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Remember when Bake Off was first announced to have made the jump to Channel 4? Does anyone feel in hindsight the ensuing manic press coverage might have been an overreaction?
Anyway, while Mary Berry decided not to jump ship, as did presenters Mel and Sue, out of "loyalty" to the BBC, Paul stuck with the show when it moved to its new home, and people were not happy, with many accusing him of "following the dough" and betraying the BBC.
Again, in hindsight... slight overreaction, no? (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Behind-the-scenes tension(04 of18)
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Shortly after the new-look Channel 4 team was announced, the press was full of reports that they weren't getting along, particularly in comparison to their predecessors, with rumours suggesting Noel and Paul were finding it particularly difficult to locate common ground.
A Channel 4 spokesperson insisted, via a fairly clumsy pun: "[The team] get on brilliantly and together have all the ingredients for a show-stopping series." (credit:Channel 4)
Gay sex joke lands Paul and Noel in hot water(05 of18)
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When Paul and Noel tried to hit back at rumours they weren't getting on themselves, they quickly landed themselves in hot water after tweeting this picture.
"This should put to rest any rumours that me and blue eyes don't get on," Noel tweeted.
This was met negatively by some fans on Twitter, who claimed the picture was offensive and demeaned gay sex for a joke. (credit:Channel 4)
Ruby gets accused of playing up to the judges(06 of18)
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Ruby Tandoh found herself in the midst of some really unfair criticism back in 2013, when she was accused of crying to win the judges' sympathy, and even flirting with Paul Hollywood.
She later blasted these claims when she came out two years after, insisting that her detractors were "giant shitting misogynists", which we must admit is hard to argue with. (credit:BBC)
No but seriously, who thought this icing was a good idea?(07 of18)
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Before the 2016 series had even begun, viewers took to Twitter to voice their disdain when the male and female contestants were given blue or pink icing to pose with, depending on their gender, insisting this perpetrated antiquated stereotypes and even added to larger problems of sexism. (credit:BBC/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon)
Flora's Aga(08 of18)
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Flora Shedden managed to get on the wrong side of viewers back in 2015, when she complained that the show's ovens were tricky for her to use as she had an Aga at home.
Addressing the criticism she faced after some viewers accused her of being “too posh” for the show, she later said: 'Where I live the majority of people have Agas as a means of heating, not just cooking.“They are a very sensible option during Scottish winters. As we have no heating in the house, it’s a lifesaver.
"Ours is 50 years old and was salvaged from a house fire. I did find it baffling that it made headlines." (credit:BBC)
Noel's game of Hide & Seek attracts Ofcom complaints(09 of18)
Plenty of people voiced their disdain, suggesting Noel was setting a potentially dangerous example by encouraging young viewers to imitate him.
However, the TV watchdog later ruled the programme had not breached broadcasting guidelines, saying in a statement: “We found that the scene was very brief and occurred later in the programme, when younger children were least likely to be watching.”
Ofcom also pointed out that since the 1960s, fridges are fitted with a device meaning they can be opened from the inside, should someone climb into one as Noel did. (credit:Channel 4)
Nadiya faces the wrath of The Sun(10 of18)
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Nadiya's Bake Off victory is still a guaranteed tear-jerker for many of us, but sadly not everyone was as pleased with her win.
An article published in The Sun in the aftermath described it as 'ideological warfare' intended to spark a 'multi-cultural jig of politically-correct joy' at the BBC.
Shop-bought icing, though. What was he thinking? (credit:BBC)
Paul gets too generous with his Hollywood Handshake(12 of18)
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Paul's Hollywood Handshake has been a mainstay of the series, signifying the ultimate seal of approval from the judge and therefore becoming something all the bakers seek to get.
However, during the 2018 series, Paul made headlines with the amount he was giving out, with many claiming he was playing it too fast and loose with them compared to previous years.
Paul later admitted he needed to "raise his barrier" as the standard of baking had "got better and better". (credit:Channel 4)
This squirrel(13 of18)
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Bake Off is supposed to celebrate everything good about the great British summer, though we think the inclusion of this squirrel's giant testicles in the final edit was possibly 'a bit much'. (credit:BBC)
After the picture was published in The Sun, he said: “I am absolutely devastated if this caused offence to anyone, the picture was taken 14 years ago en route to a Comedy TV Shows Themed New Year’s Eve Party and a group of us dressed up as characters from the classic TV show ’Allo ’Allo!
“Everyone who knows me, knows I am incredibly proud of the efforts of those, including my own grandfather, who fought against the Nazis during the war.”
His apology was not well received by all, with former contestant Ruby Tandoh tweeting: “absolutely creasin at ppl telling me “IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO” as if the nazis weren’t bad back then. guys he was still a middle aged man when he did this lol. i don’t think he’s a nazi i just think he’s absurd [sic].” (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Errant fridges land the show in hot water(15 of18)
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Back in 2012, the show was accused of product placement to the prominence of Smeg-branded fridges in the Bake Off tent.
When Bake Off guidelines were revised, Smeg were also forced to take down a notice on their website announcing their association with the show. (credit:BBC)
Innuendo(16 of18)
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Yes, a few cheeky innuendos might seem like a part of Bake Off as integral as bomber jackets and self-raising flour, but viewers have argued over the years that it can often verge on indecent.
Paul Hollywood said in 2014: "Our whole culture has always been based on it. Carry On films did it for 30 years and then there were cheeky beach picture postcards." (credit:BBC)
Bake Off breaks its own rules(17 of18)
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Bake Off fans are sticklers for the rules, as proved during the final technical challenge of the 2018 series.
It saw the bakers leave the familiar surroundings of the iconic tent for the first time ever, as they were tasked with making six pitta breads over an open fire, as well as three dips to go with them.
Prue was at the centre of a media storm at the end of her first series when she prematurely revealed on Twitter that Sophie had won, hours before the final was due to air on TV. She later blamed getting confused with the time difference while on holiday in Bhutan.
The gaffe has been regarded as one of the best / worst in TV history, and she has failed to live in down ever since, admitting she would be locking herself away on future finale nights. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)