The Great British Bake Off airs its first-ever Audience Choice Week tonight, with viewers at home selecting the challenges for the first time in the show's history. The theme left judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson feeling emotional, as the bakers face a signature, technical and showstopper chosen by the public rather than the judges.
The series has already bid farewell to Danni from Dorset, and the remaining contestants are more eager than ever to keep their place in the tent. Hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding introduced the week's theme, which marks a major twist for the Channel 4 show.
Bake with a Relative signature challenge
Week three's signature challenge is called Bake with a Relative, bringing the bakers' loved ones into the tent to help create a signature cheesecake. The challenge was chosen by viewers and sees familiar faces join the competitors.
Hollywood told press: "It was a nice idea, that. I think it really worked because you could see the partnership, and they did relax a little bit more and confidence went up, and the confidence was still with them afterwards when their family member had gone or friend had gone."
He added: "I just found that... [it was] the first time we'd seen it in the tent, but I think it worked really well. I'd like to do that again." Fielding said: "That will happen again, won't it? That was beautiful actually, to see their relationships. Really good idea, whoever came up with that." Hammond remarked: "You saw love blossom in front of your very eyes. It was just beautiful."
Mystery box technical and Wearable Bake showstopper
The technical round features a mystery box similar to the one on MasterChef. Radio Times explained: "As the box includes eggs and lemons, there are countless variations on lemon meringue." Contestants must create a bake using at least one of the hidden ingredients, which they are not shown in advance.
The showstopper is a Wearable Bake challenge, which Lawson said would fill her with "abject terror". However, she admitted it exceeded her expectations, saying: "[It worked] surprisingly well. You know, you're never going to get an even standard with everyone, but you know, they really do pull it out of the bag when they need to."
She added: "It is quite amazing because these are not easy challenges, they wouldn't be easy for a professional baker, I think." Hammond noted: "We used a lot of mannequins in order to show off the wearable bakes," with Lawson joking: "Because obviously, it wouldn't be enormously hygienic to be eating off someone."
Fan reactions to the series so far
Fans have taken to X to share their thoughts on the series, with reactions mixed. One viewer said: "I am really enjoying the cast of bakers (I'm two episodes in). Always feel so much lighter when watching #GBBO." Another wrote: "I watched the 1st 2 eps of new Bake Off. The technical challenge has had a much-needed upgrade. Nigella is brilliant. And the I b***** love the contestants. Damn, did Connie make me cry with the Jamaica mosaic biscuit. Danni is a superstar #GBBO"
However, some viewers were strongly against the changes. One fumed: "What the actual f*** have they done to bake off? This is a reprehensible crime, punishable by execution! I'm absolutely f****** furious!" Another added: "This season of #GBBO has some of the worst bakes I've seen in the history of this show. What are we even doing?"
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 tonight at 8pm.
