You’re reading our series Summer’s Not Cancelled, where we celebrate summer in this new normal. From rediscovering nature and cherishing time with friends and family, to virtual festivals and unforgettable staycations – summer’s still here, it’s just different.
Great British Bake Off fans will be getting a slice of action from the tent this year after all, as it has been confirmed filming has resumed “in deep secret”.
Production on the 11th series of the hit baking competition was postponed earlier this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, with question marks over whether the show would be able to go ahead.
However, Jane Millichip – chief commercial officer of Sky Studios, the parent company of Bake Off producer Love Productions – has said filming has already started in secret.
According to Deadline, she told a virtual Broadcasting Press Guild lunch: “It’s all happening in deep secret, somewhere in darkest deepest Britain in the shires,” she said, refusing to confirm rumours the show has moved to a new location as part of coronavirus safety measures.
“You will have your Victoria sponge this year,” she added.
Gary Davey, CEO of Sky Studios, said that production was “going very well”, adding: “As you can imagine, there was a lot of work collaboratively between Love Productions and our Covid protocols team just to get that right.”
The cast of contestants, judges and presenters, along with the show’s crew, were quarantined in the run-up to the start of filming to allow close interaction.
Back in March, it was confirmed Matt Lucas would replace Sandi Toksvig as the host of Bake Off, alongside Noel Fielding.
Sandi announced she would be leaving the Bake Off tent in January after three series at the helm.
She and Noel joined the show after it moved to Channel 4 from the BBC in 2017, replacing original hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Explaining her decision to quit, she said at the time: “When stepping down from a job it is quite common for people to say they are doing so in order to spend more time with their family.
“Unusually I am departing from the Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work. As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.”
Of his appointment, Matt said in a statement: “I’m chuffed to bits to be joining the most delicious show on television. I can’t wait to break bread with Noel, Prue and Paul and meet the brilliant bakers.
“And bearing in mind my love of cake, I’ve already ordered some much larger trousers in anticipation. See you in the tent!”
Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are also believed to be returning for the show’s 11th series, which is due to air on Channel 4 later this year.
