RECORD

DOUBLE DELIGHT Sandi and Noel THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF

C4, 8pm EPISODE three and surely it’s time for the Bake Off controversies to take second billing to what is still one of our favourite shows.

True, legend Mary Berry was swapped for a younger model, and Mel and Sue became Sandi and Noel. You can’t just replace people and hope we won’t notice. And we’re being forced to fine-tune our recording skills so the ads don’t make us miss the first 15 minutes of Doctor Foster on the other side. But moaning over. The double act of Sandi and Noel works brilliantly. Noel occasionally looks slightly bound by Bake Off convention, as if he’s trying desperately to do what he’s told rather than, say, leap across the tent dressed as a giant doughnut (this would be fine, by the way).

But he tells people they’ve got “nice buns” and seems to be having a merry old time. Meanwhile, Prue and her marvellous accessories (no, not Noel) seem to have settled into the groove. Also, it’s Bread Week, so Paul Hollywood is absolutely in his element.

As the bakers embark on making 12 identical teacakes, twice-crowned Star Baker Steven is feeling the pressure. “I hope I haven’t peaked,” he says as he starts making a vodka butter.

We are also appreciating tent chat, such as this – Paul: “What sort of texture are we expecting?”. Liam: “Teacake texture”.

Elsewhere, our love for Flo continues as she explains she never times her bakes in the oven – she just gets “a feeling”.

And watch out for the coloured bread sculptures – one of which leaves Paul dumbstruck with awe.