You don’t change a winning recipe..

IT HAS been claimed many times that when The Great British Bake Off returns, it will be exactly the same but with a “Channel 4 twist”.

It turns out they really meant it. Well, apart from the twist bit.

Because if the first episode of the series is anything to go by, it’s clear that even with added Prue Leith, Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, there is nothing about the new version that makes it definitively Channel 4.

The argument goes that the inclusion of off-the-wall comic Fielding alone is enough to justify the “new twist” claim.

But the truth is that he has toned down the wackiness and upped the warmness to make himself indistinguishable from Mel or Sue.

All this is not really a criticism, however. What fans want is a really good new series – and that’s what they’ll be served.

The smutty gags and quips are all there, thanks to ingredients

Noel: I’m not Mel

NEW hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig claim they haven’t tried to copy Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc’s innuendo-laden style.

Fielding insisted the show is “as filthy as ever” but added: “I’m not Mel and Sandi is not Sue so we can’t try to emulate what they did – we just have to sort of find our own way.”

Toksvig said: “I liked the show before and we like each other, so it was easy.” including courgettes (snigger) and a chocolate champagne bottle that looks remarkably, ahem, similar.

The contestants (including architect Tom from Edinburgh) range from the too good to be true to those who can’t get anything to go right on the day.

Stacey throws every one of her three bakes into the bin halfway through and starts again.

Some of the lucky 12 get the coveted Paul Hollywood handshake in the first round. Others are told their bakes are “dry”, “plain” and “boring”. There are tears right from the start.

Sandi and Noel are always on hand to comfort and cajole, however.

They seem to have a genuine rapport. He says their chemistry was instant: “We made love straight away – comedically.”

Mary, Sue and Mel have all (apparently) given the new show their blessing.

Old-timer Paul Hollywood smiled: “I feel like a proud dad.” Noel agreed: “We’re like a little family now. I’m the dog.”