WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS

THE Great British Bake Off burst back on to our TV screens last night with a bang last night with Cake Week.

It was all change on the Channel 4 programme with a new co-host, comedian Matt Lucas, who did a Boris Johnson baking parody sketch, 12 new contestants and a new location for the tent.

Here is Sandy Docherty’s verdict of the opening episode, as she kicks off her weekly Telegraph & Argus column which will be online each Wednesday morning while the series is on.

Sandy took part in the 2015 series and is the child protection and welfare officer at Titus Salt School in Baildon.

 

Overall verdict, Sandy says:

“I thought it was a cracker. I enjoyed it as a piece of entertainment actually.

“I’m impressed. I just hope they can keep up that momentum.

“I thought the opening was absolutely tremendous. It was great.

“I like Noel Fielding, but I think he now has to up his game. Matt Lucas and I thought he was a corker. He is so humorous as himself.

“They are a nice pair. Their comedy could have overshadowed the bakers, but it didn’t. They found their niche, and they pitched it right. They came in and did it well."

 

Age range of bakers:

“There are not a lot of the bakers who are over 50. There are a couple in that middle group and the rest of them are in the 30s age bracket and some in their 20s.

“I am concerned by the age range thing. 50 is the new 30. It would be nice to see more of them in there. Middle aged people have a sense of fun.

“Baking is not going to save the world, but it is going to help put a smile on our faces."

On baking challenges:

“I thought the signature bake was spot-on, Battenberg. It was good to start with a classic.

“The technical, Pineapple upside down cake, sorted out the ones chasing celebrity and the ones who rise to a baking challenge.

“It was enjoyable, but I have never made a pineapple upside down cake with caramel.

“You think after that first technical, where is it going? I remember making Black Forest Gateau in my first week when I was on the show.

“The showstopper challenge was great. The David Bowie bust looked more like the Elephant Man."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Great British Bake Off 2020 judges and presenters. Picture: C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA WireGreat British Bake Off 2020 judges and presenters. Picture: C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA Wire

On the bakers:

“They are all characters. It is obvious that we will always match them with bakers from previous years. You can’t help but think they are like them.

“I’m big friends with Howard from series four of Bake Off. Rowan is a lot like him, he’s really good.

“I like the bakers, there is a few to watch.

“Laura is not backward at coming forward when she said ‘Tell me you like it Paul’ about one of her bakes.

“I’m watching Peter, the young man from Edinburgh. Paul told him to keep it simple. Paul always likes to know that you have practiced.

“There are some lovely and heartfelt bakers there."

On Paul Hollywood:

“I thought last night we got to see more of the Paul you see off-set. He had a more gentle approach. He was more chatty and not as aloof as he’s been shown in the past. That’s how he really is."

Quotes of the week:

“I thought the celebrity quote of the week came from Noel when he said ‘he’d never fancied a cake before’.

The bakers’ quotes of the week came from Rowan when he said ‘It wasn’t a rousing success, but it was useful’ and there was a ‘little bit of woftage needed’

 

The first exit:

“It’s just awful to go first. I feel sad for Loriea. It was a tough, but just, call. I hope she is OK. It is nice leaving first.

“The first person who goes would have had so much more to offer. You have a whole repertoire of bakes to do yet. It’s sad to go first.

“I was on with Stuart who went first. He has gone on to great things. It does not end there."

Looking ahead:

“I’m looking forward to next week. They pulled it out of the bag for the first one. They came up trumps.

“We have been so desperate for this feel-good at the moment. They have delivered it.”