Winning recipe: New cast of The Great British Bake Off remains faithful to a successful formula.
It might have new presenters, but the latest season of The Great British Bake Off on Prime has remained faithful to the recipe that made it such a success. James Rampton reports.
There was understandable trepidation among The Great British Bake Off’s legions of fans when the popular British baking contest moved from the BBC to Channel Four and, in the process, lost three of its four stars. Of the original line-up, only judge Paul Hollywood remained.
However, I’m delighted to report that Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, who replaced Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as presenters, and Prue Leith, who took over from Mary Berry as one of the judges, have all proved a resounding success in their roles.
As the second episode is about to be broadcast in New Zealand, Toksvig and Fielding reflect on what it’s like to be part of the hit series The Great British Bake Off. Fielding, 44, who made his name in the UK as a compelling, often surreal, comedian on shows such as The Mighty Boosh and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, was thrilled to land the role of co-presenter with Toksvig. “I had been a fan of Sandi’s for years,” he says. “There is always a danger with chemistry that it is never going to work – and you just can’t hide that on screen. Equally, if you are not getting on with people, it really shows. But straight away with Sandi and I, it worked.” Toksvig, 59, a comedian who took over from Stephen Fry as presenter of the long-running quiz show QI, says that she and Fielding also struck lucky in finding an instant chemistry with Hollywood and Leith. “We get on really well. When the four of us are together, you can see the affection. “Last night we all four went for drinks and we were laughing and laughing.
“We were reduced to playing a game of ‘What can you do with a cloth napkin?’ It turns out quite a lot. It’s possibly a new show for Channel Four.”
All the same, didn’t the new presenters feel the burden of great expectations on their shoulders when they took over from two such widely adored figures as Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins?
Toksvig reflects that, “It’s a programme that is much loved and it’s a very precious thing, and you don’t want to cause it any harm.
“You don’t want to spoil it for people and there is a tremendous amount of responsibility.
“I have taken things over before and you feel the real sense of responsibility that you must do your best and not let the programme down. But I wasn’t feeling nervous – more excited.”
Once they had changed channels, presenters and one judge, the producers of The Great British Bake Off made the wise decision not to tinker with anything else. They stuck by the adage: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
According to Fielding, “If people are open-minded, I think they will be pleasantly surprised that we haven’t gone all crazy and shaken things up. For me, it has been important to come in and make the show. The show is always about the bakers. They are the stars of the show.”
The presenters have clearly had a ball working on their first series of The Great British Bake Off.
Toksvig declares that, “I’ve loved it. But by the end, you can’t take the tension in the tent constantly. You want to know who is going to win.
“It is hard work. It is long hours. Today we started at 6.30am and we will finish late. It’s quite draining, but my daughter is a doctor, and it’s important to say this knowing there are jobs that are way more important.”
Finally, the presenters confess that it is impossible to resist tucking into the cakes that the bakers have so lovingly prepared. The baked goods may be delicious, but they do not help anyone trying to watch their weight.
Toksvig laughs, “That’s one of the reasons to finish this series. There is also a weird thing on this programme where the wonderful kitchen at the back brings out deep fried food at 10.30am. Who does that at 10.30am? Then what happens is you find yourself saying, ‘It must be nearly time for scampi’.
“So at the moment, I eat whatever is put in front of me. I need to stop. Seriously, I need to go and suck on a gem lettuce for at least a year.”