Bake Off success for Channel 4 – but fan base sinks

THE opening episode of Great British Bake Off gave Channel 4 its highest ratings in five years.

But it wasn’t a sweet success for the station – as last year’s opener on the BBC had 4.6million more viewers.

An average of 5.8million tuned in for Tuesday’s episode of the eighth series after Channel 4 outbid the BBC for the contract.

When catch-up figures were included, the number climbed to 6.5million – the largest audience for Channel 4 since the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games. Yesterday, Channel 4 bosses said the figures vindicated their £75million gamble on a three-year contract.

But last year’s first episode on BBC1 started with an audience of 10.4million, which grew to 14million for the finale.

Some decline had been considered inevitable, given that Channel 4 typically draws far smaller audiences. Millions shunned the new 75-minute programme, which had 17 minutes of adverts, two new presenters – and no Mary Berry.

Nevertheless, Channel 4’s outgoing chief creative officer Jay Hunt said: ‘The Great British Bake Off’s audience proves it’s still one of the country’s favourite shows.

‘I am delighted millions watched the new team put 12 magnificent bakers through their paces.

‘It’s the largest share of young audiences we’ve had for a show for over a decade.’ Sources said that there was ‘whooping’ and ‘high-fiving’ in the London HQ. The Bake Off ratings dwarfed the typical audience of around three million for Gogglebox, one of Channel 4’s most viewed shows.

Miss Hunt indicated last week they only needed three million to break even.

The show’s hefty price tag was matched by the designer clothes worn by the two new presenters.

Flamboyant comedian Noel Fielding wore a £260 shirt with a raven pattern from London-based Silken Favours.