Last night Channel 4 aired the first episode of the Great British Bake Off after the show's controversial move from the BBC...minus Mary Berry and scored their biggest ratings in 5 years. Of course, Mary was missed - and will always be linked with the show and not just in its original form and home.
#GBBO launches on @Channel4 with 6.5m average and 30.4% share pic.twitter.com/6GPxKHRLWF
— Channel 4 Press (@C4Press) August 30, 2017
Replacing her in the kitchen and in the role of beloved matriach baking role model is Prudence 'Prue' Leith and she did a great job. Not only is she an experienced restaurateur, television presenter, journalist and cookery writer but she is honest, authoritative, yet kind. She may have to work on her GBBO innuendos though - she seemed a bit lost!
Welcome to the wonderful world of #GBBO and #BakeOffInnuendo, Prue Leith! pic.twitter.com/RPRoD8c5kj
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 29, 2017
Prue wasn't the only new face, in fact it was all new faces on the presenting panel bar "old blue eyes" Paul Hollywood as comedian, musician and The Mighty Boosh and IT Crowd actor Noel Fielding said.
When Noel was allowed to be Noel, versus one-half of the overly scripted duo alongside Sandi Togsvik, he and his natural, warm style worked well.
Hopefully last night’s #GBBO has inspired many of you to bake… and avoid eating marigolds! pic.twitter.com/Qpht7LSJR0
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 30, 2017
Our favourite tweet re Noel?
Noel Fielding on #GBBO is like seeing your mate who's always off their head at their day job at the bank trying to act professional.
— Jonathan Guy (@JonnySomething) August 29, 2017
There were calls for the return of comedy duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc to return too on Twitter from some fans, as you'll see below.
The promo promised colour, a fresh approach, new faces and talent combined to create a fun, accessible, entertainment filled, family show and it delivered. The magic of the original combination hasn't been lost in translation.
The biggest challenge of the night was the illusion cake and the results were spectacular.
When is a cake not a cake? When it’s a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich. The Great British Bake Off, Tuesdays at 8pm. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/YAYPrMjv1Q
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) August 30, 2017
The only real downside? Just like the original, GBBO will make you hungry and naturally, not for the healthy stuff.
What did viewers think?
Singer Naomi Scott was especially excited: "Bake off is back!!"
Bake off is back!! 🎂🍪🍰🍞🥐🥖
— Naomi Scott (@NaomiScott) August 29, 2017
#gbbo isn't the same, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I miss Mary, but I'm going to stick with it. pic.twitter.com/tg6TPAVoaw
— Tanya Burr (@TanyaBurr) August 29, 2017
Irish comedian Aisling Bea was so impressed that she wrote...: "The producers of The Great British Bake Off are the only people in the UK experienced & trusted enough to take charge of Brexit negotiations"
The producers of The Great British Bake Off are the only people in the UK experienced & trusted enough to take charge of Brexit negotiations
— Aisling Bea (@WeeMissBea) August 29, 2017
Some fans praised new host Noel Fielding: "Well I don't know what y'all thought, but I bloody loved @noelfielding11 on Bake Off"
Well I don't know what y'all thought, but I bloody loved @noelfielding11 on Bake Off.
— Vicki Egan-Silcock 🍣 (@MrsPetticoat) August 30, 2017
While others clung to the past: "Rly [sic] sad cos I wanted to watch bake off but I can't betray Mel, Sue and Mary like that"
Rly sad cos I wanted to watch bake off but I can't betray Mel, Sue and Mary like that
— Nadia (@nadiasbarker) August 30, 2017
#GBBO I miss Mel & Sue but I'll be sticking with the #bakeoff this year. I think Noel Fielding should have to wear a hairnet though... pic.twitter.com/ix1le9iy7F
— Claire Murrihy (@ClaireMurrihy) August 29, 2017
However, everyone could agree that the ads were an absolute pain: "Was too busy writing things to comment on Bake Off, but thought it was pretty good? Ads are a pain, obv, but otherwise enjoyed it."
Was too busy writing things to comment on Bake Off, but thought it was pretty good? Ads are a pain, obv, but otherwise enjoyed it.
— Chris Schilling (@schillingc) August 30, 2017
"Well so far Bake Off seems really choppy and fast paced. Probably because they have to fit in all the ads. #GBBO"
Well so far Bake Off seems really choppy and fast paced. Probably because they have to fit in all the ads. #GBBO
— Annelise Atkinson (@AnneliseAtko) August 29, 2017
"Great British Bake Off - more like Great British Break Off with all those ads!', he said, less witty than he thought. #GBBO"
'Great British Bake Off - more like Great British Break Off with all those ads!', he said, less witty than he thought. #GBBO
— John Goodby (@johnnygoodeb) August 29, 2017
