Channel 4's flagship baking show, The Great British Bake Off, is facing a major crisis as a staggering 400,000 viewers switched off in just one week, leaving bosses with a decidedly soggy bottom.
The latest episode, which saw contestants tackle Danish Week, failed to rise in the ratings, pulling in a mere 4.6 million viewers. This represents a dramatic fall from the 5 million who tuned in the previous week, signalling a worrying trend for the once-unbeatable format.
A Recipe for Disaster?
The show's sharp decline has been attributed to a controversial scheduling change. For the first time in its history, an episode was aired on a Friday night, directly pitting it against the formidable BBC staple, Gardener's World. This move appears to have backfired spectacularly, with many loyal fans seemingly missing their weekly midweek fix.
This isn't the first time the show has seen a dip this series. The season opener also experienced a slump, drawing in 1.3 million fewer viewers than the 2023 launch, suggesting deeper issues than just scheduling.
Social Media Backlash
Viewers took to social media to voice their frustrations, with many criticising the new Friday time slot. One fan lamented, "Why change what wasn't broken? Friday night is a terrible time for Bake Off." Another added, "It's a tradition for us, and now it just feels out of place. We missed it."
Despite the slump, the episode itself was not without its drama. Contestant Chris was eliminated after his Danish Crown disappointed judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, describing it as a "real shame" due to its raw interior.
With the competition heating up in the tent, the battle to win over the audience at home seems to be an even greater challenge for Channel 4. All eyes will be on next week's numbers to see if this was a one-off blip or the start of a more serious decline for the beloved baking contest.
