Fans of The Great British Bake Off have slammed the Channel 4 show for introducing a ‘cruel’ twist during the first episode of the new season on Tuesday.
Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith were back for the new series alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, which kicked off as always with Cake Week.
No one was sent packing in the first week – instead two are now at risk in the next instalment – while John was announced as the very first Star Baker of the series.
However, fans have been left divided over a major format change, with some slamming it as ‘brutal’ and claiming they would ‘walk out’ if it were them.
The shocking new rule, which was announced by hosts Noel and Alison, saw the bakers undertake the technical challenge without a recipe, instead relying on taste alone to recreate a Battenberg cake.
Fans of The Great British Bake Off have slammed the Channel 4 show for introducing a ‘cruel’ twist during the first episode of the new season on Tuesday
The shocking new rule, which was announced by hosts Noel and Alison, saw the bakers undertake the technical challenge without a recipe
Noel told the contestants: ‘In a change from the norm, this is a taste and bake challenge. Under your gingham cloth is the perfect mini Battenburg.
‘You’ll have five minutes to inspect your Battenburg, then you’ll have to recreate that with no recipe.’
The bakers were stunned to silence and viewers couldn’t believe the shake-up, taking to X to write:
‘Calling OfCom and the Exam Board because the rules of the Bake off technical challenge have changed #GBBO #GreatBritishBakeOff #BakeOff.’
‘No recipe for the technical challenge? Oh bog off Bake Off.’
‘WHAT, THIS TECHNICAL?! #GBBO.’
‘Omg they’ve changed the technical challenge?!?! that is BRUTAL. #GBBO.’
‘Woah. This technical challenge is madness #GBBO No recipe.’
Noel told the contestants: ‘You’ll have five minutes to inspect your Battenburg, then you’ll have to recreate that with no recipe’
The bakers were stunned to silence and viewers couldn’t believe the shake-up
‘Well that’s a cruel week 1 technical challenge #gbbo.’
‘The taste-and-bake plot twist in the technical challenge. My jaw has DROPPED. #GBBO.’
‘People have been complaining about the Technical Challenge getting too complicated recently, WHY ARE YOU MAKING IT EVEN MORE COMPLICATED?
‘I just wanna see people make a simple bake with a minimal guide, not something already complicated and making them rely on taste alone #GBBO.’
‘This technical?! I would actually walk out #GBBO.’
However, not everyone found issue with the twist and other fans welcomed the switch-up, adding:
‘As #GBBO opening episodes go, that was one of the best. Fun set of contestants, Alison and Noel on top form, great new twist on the technical and some amazing showstoppers (that duck was insane!). Tuesday nights are looking good now.’
‘Really liking the ‘taste and recreate’ twist with no recipe for the technical. This should be fun! #GBBO.’
Elsewhere in the episode the 12 contestants had to first make a loaf cake for the signature challenge, before heading onto the Showstopper to make an illusion cake
When announcing the results Noel said that in fact they would all be going through to the next round
The tent was also shocked by a very early Paul Hollywood handshake – as he was incredibly impressed with Illiyin’s cinnamon loaf cake
‘Battenburg cake taste & bake technical challenge, with no recipe. What a great new twist #GBBO.’
Elsewhere in the episode the 12 contestants had to first make a loaf cake for the signature challenge, before heading onto the Showstopper to make an illusion cake.
This year’s bunch includes a fashion designer, paediatric nurse and farm manager who even made the shortlist for Young Farmer of the Year.
When announcing the results Noel said that in fact they would all be going through to the next round.
It came after Jeff couldn’t complete the last two tasks due to unexpected illness.
Some viewers were glad they all get another chance to impress while other branded the decision a ‘cop out’.
The tent was also shocked by a very early Paul Hollywood handshake – as he was incredibly impressed with Illiyin’s cinnamon loaf cake.
The 31-year-old healthcare worker from Norfolk was given the handshake by the judge after the first round of bakes – but some viewers thought it was ‘too soon’ to give out.
The Great British Bake Off kicked off on September 24 at 8pm on Channel 4