Great British Bake Off viewers were left fuming within minutes of the new series and admitted they were “cringing” at the “bizarre” start to the show – moments before they learned about the format change.
Many fans have been eager to see the show return alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, with judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood all set to find Britain’s next biggest baker.
As the show kicked off last night, many were left switching off within minutes and admitted they were put off by the Barbie theme in the opening sequence – some noting the show’s producers were “trying too hard”.
The first shot saw the iconic white tents turned hot pink, along with a pink plane flying over to uncover the words “Bake Off Land” before Hammond was seen floating down from the sky in a pink dress and a blonde wig.
Landing on the grass, she said in an American accent: “Ah, another delicious day in Bake Off Land,” before Fielding walked over covered head to toe in pink and expressed: “Hi Barbie Alison.”
“Hi Barbie Noel,” she responded, but quickly turned back to her Brummy accent and quipped: “Wait a minute, I thought I was supposed to be Barbie? We said it’s the person with the best legs is Barbie! There’s only one way to settle this… Ken!”
Alison Hammond floated down from the sky at the beginning of the skit
CHANNEL 4
Hollywood strolled over to the hosts wearing a leather jacket which donned some pink trimming, along with cowboy boots and a hat, noting: “Oh not this again!”
“You’re really great at judging, who’s the best Barbie?” Hammond said, but left the baking legend to reply: “I’ll tell you who the best Barbie is and it’s neither of you two.”
Leith sauntered across the grass to join her co-stars dressed in a hot pink dress and blazer, and a huge blonde wig and said: “Ah, another delicious day in Bake Off Land.”
As the skit ended and the show finally kicked off, many viewers took to their X account to express how quickly they switched off the programme, with one user revealing: “Well, I WAS going to watch #GBBO on +1.
The pair dressed up as Barbie and left viewers cringing
CHANNEL 4
“Managed about 6 seconds of that twat fielding pretending to be #Barbie & switched off. It USED to be a reasonable baking contest – now it’s a vehicle for washed-up presenters & allegedly funny ‘comedians’. Bed & book it is.”
“Barbie opening skit for #GBBO This is giving ‘last year’ vibes. Hope that isn’t a sign of things to come,” another penned before a third expressed: “Watching #GBBO on +1 – that Barbie sketch was VERY cringe.”
“Holy s**t! I wish I could un-see that Barbie-themed opening… #GBBO,” another penned before someone else noted: “Bizarre Barbie intro. Not really my cup of tea! #GBBO.”
However, not all viewers were put off by the skit, as one happy viewer said: “I haven’t watched this show for years, especially since Allison joined, but that Barbie intro really did make me giggle ngl #GBBO.”
Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding kicked off the new series in style
Another agreed: “Starting with a Barbie reference seems like it was probably 12 months too late? Either way, I’m so excited for #GBBO TO BE BACK.” (sic)
There was also an unexpected twist during the first episode, with no one being eliminated from the first round due to Jeff not being able to complete the last two tasks due to an unexpected illness.
Some viewers were glad they all got another chance to impress while others branded the decision a “cop-out”.