The Great British Bake Off's new Audience Choice Week split opinion among viewers, with the mystery box technical challenge coming under particular scrutiny. For the first time in the Channel 4 show's history, fans chose the challenges for the bakers. But while some welcomed the change, others were unconvinced by the third week's departure from the usual format.
Technical challenge under fire
The technical round asked contestants to select ingredients from a mystery box and produce something worthy of serving in just two hours. For one viewer, that meant losing a key part of the challenge: comparing the bakers' attempts at the same recipe.
"Also the entire point of the technical is they make the same thing and then you see who does it best. Not a random bunch of ingredients and make whatever they like #gbbo," read one comment.
Another viewer wrote: "I'm sure all the ideas for audience week were sent in by people who don't watch #gbbo." Others were equally unimpressed, with one posting: "Not a fan of audience week at all. #gbbo," and another declaring: "I am absolutely HATING the new 'theme' this week audience week?!"
Mixed reactions from fans
However, the reaction was not entirely negative. One supporter wrote: "Audience Week is a great week #GBBO" while a different account added: "#gbbo audience week was interesting and loved seeing the families."
The episode kept the familiar signature, technical and showstopper rounds, but the themes were chosen by viewers rather than judges Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood.
For the signature, bakers made cheesecakes inspired by their loved ones and were allowed to bring a family member into the tent to help. The showstopper tasked them with creating wearable bakes — pastries that were both edible and fashionable, reports the Mirror.
Shannon eliminated
But it all ended in tears for Shannon, who was eliminated from the competition. The 29-year-old project manager from Gloucestershire described her time in the tent as "life-changing".
Shannon said: "Oh, it's so hard to put into words, like, what this has meant to me. I've become myself, if anything. I've let go of any persona of who I wish I was or whatever. I've really just been me, so life-changing. That is the word. Life-changing."
She added: "I don't want to say bye to anyone, but... yeah." An emotional Nigella said: "I can't get used to it, the fact that someone has to go home. But someone has to go home."
