Bake Off viewers praise the show as it returns with major new addition
THE GREAT British Bake Off returned tonight with new host Alison Hammond making her show debut alongside co-presenter Noel Fielding – but there was also another new addition.
The Channel 4 show sees 12 amateur bakers do everything in their power to avoid a soggy bottom, as they attempt to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The presenting duo welcomed the new batch of contestants to the famous tent and also introduced a sign language interpreter who will joining them for the series.
This year GBBO has welcomed 27-year-old Tasha from Bristol – the show’s first ever deaf contestant.
Alison and Noel showed off their sign language skills as they told the other bakers about the change.
The contestants are in for a treat this year with a variety of different baking tasks.
Tasha makes history as the first deaf contestant.
Before joining the show, she said she remembered baking as a child and licking the sugar icing from the tops of the fairy cakes she, her mum and her grandma used to make.
At secondary school, she made cakes for her friends and was soon encouraged by her Food Technology teacher to develop her skills as a hobby. Much like her attitude to life, Tasha’s baking is fearless.
She uses it as a way to express herself creatively, often embarking upon near-impossible designs – with impressive results.
When she’s not baking, Tasha loves going to the theatre to see a West End show and she has a passion for travelling the world.
Matt Lucas, who fronted the show alongside Noel Fielding, said he could no longer host GBBO alongside his other projects – but Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith also returned to judge the new batch of contestants’ incredible creations.
Speaking about the new series, Alison told her This Morning colleagues, she got the “jitters” when she entered the tent for the first time.
She said: “I’m gonna be honest, I have never been that nervous.”
Alison added: “If you think of the bigger pictures, you think this is a global show, I don’t want to ruin this. And I could you know, I’m a little bit risky!”
The Great British Bake Off continues at 8pm on Tuesday nights on Channel 4.
