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GBBO returns with wizards, goths and more sweetness than before

Updated / Wednesday, 4 Sep 2019 10:03
Noel Fielding and Sandy Toskvig brought their usual sunny selves back into the tent
Noel Fielding and Sandy Toskvig brought their usual sunny selves back into the tent

The baking extravaganza that is Great British Bake Off officially returned to our screens last night and if you needed proof that the hit baking show is still as popular in its new iteration, all you had to do was look at Twitter to see "Noel" trending. 

Somehow the Gothic glamour of Noel Fielding, the sunny sass of Sandy Toskvig, the cheeky charm of Prue Leith and the ice cold stare of Paul Hollywood are even more perfectly harmonised this year, bringing a dose of sweetness we need now more than ever. And with the show celebrating 10 years on our screens, this season is sure to be even more delightful. 

Kicking off with cake week, the stage has been set for the most wholesome, life-affirming and faith-restoring reality show out there to completely take over our lives once again, and we're really okay with that. 

For their first task, the 13 contestants were asked to prepare a fruit cake for the Signature Challenge, with the judges stressing the need for the perfect batter. 

Dan Chambers struggled with the challenge, adding more fruit than needed and ending up with a raw batter. 

Dan Chambers
Dan Chambers was sent home

For the Technical Challenge, bakers were asked to prepare angel food cake, the deceptively simple, light-as-air sponge topped with intricate icing. Henry comes out with the best version, while Jamie comes in last and - bafflingly, adorably - thanks to the judges. 

Finally, the bakers are asked to let their childhood imaginations run wild as they prepare a showstopper of the birthday cake they wanted as children. Helena creates a fairy garden, which Paul somehow mishears as "furry garden" and prompts at least one hundred complaints; Priya creates a charming storybook cake complete with ISBN code; Alice builds an entire sweet shop, making us feel very insecure. 

But it was an episode of unexpected fumbles, as 20-year-old Jamie forgot the eggs in one of his recipes, 26-year-old Michael somehow kept cutting his hands and 20-year-old Henry failed to keep his royal icing house in one piece. 

But as always, some shining stars were immediately discernible, not least 35-year-old Michelle who was named Star Baker for her incredible toadstool birthday cake showstopper. 

Michelle GBBO
Michelle was named star baker

In the end, it was Dan who was sent home, having failed to impress out the starting gate and fumbling somewhat through the rest of the challenges. "He's a great baker", Paul Hollywood said afterward, "but unfortunately it all boiled down to his signature bake, and that’s the cause of him going."

There were no tears, though - we'll see how long that lasts. 

Next week will see the remaining contestants try not to crumble under pressure for Biscuit Week. Stock up your supplies now! 

If there's one thing more satisfying than cheering on amateur bakers, it's catching up on the hot-takes, declarations of love and the conspiracy theories that go down on Twitter: 

A good boy

Henceforth known as "the boys"

Is it just us or...

*BREADWARD*

Butter-fingers

All about the details 

The pun we've been waiting for

Too pure 

It is what it is

Give the people what they want! 

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