Viewers of The Great British Bake Off were left frustrated this week, with some calling the latest episode the "worst" they had ever seen. The Channel 4 competition returned on Tuesday (October 6) with a brand new themed week called Audience Choice, where all three challenges were set by viewers.
New format sparks mixed reactions
During the instalment, the Signature Challenge was a cheesecake, with contestants receiving help from their loved ones. The Technical Bake introduced a mystery box at each work station containing ingredients chosen by viewers, while the Showstopper tasked bakers with creating a "wearable bake."
However, complaints quickly emerged on social media. One person wrote on X: "@Nigella_Lawson is an amazing uplifting addition to the show however the new format of the show just really isn't working for me... a real struggle to watch." Another added: "I can honestly say that was the worst episode of #GBBO I've ever seen. Technical challenge - all different, no one can make a decent sponge and making cake hats... not to mention others in the tent.. no!! Go back to basics please."
Mixed reactions and elimination
Some viewers were unhappy with specific elements, with one commenting: "Which viewers thought baking a 'wearable' bake was a good idea? It's a crap one!!!!" Another said: "I didn't like this week much; especially the bring your family in!" A fifth viewer shared: "#GBBO That's it! I'm done! Loved Bake Off since the start but tonight is so crap! And the challenges are stupid and pointless. Random family member? Pointless! Bake something to wear? Pointless! Bring back proper bakes!"
But not everyone was unhappy, as many viewers were delighted by the changes. One person wrote: "I like the idea of a mystery box invention test for the technical. Shakes things up a bit." Another added: "#GBBO audience week was interesting and loved seeing the families." A third said: "I'm absolutely loving this series of Bake Off. It really seems to have got its groove back."
At the end of Audience Week, 29-year-old Shannon from Gloucestershire was eliminated. She was left in tears as she reflected on her time in the tent, saying: "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."
The Great British Bake Off is available to stream on Channel 4.
