‘I’m still a diehard Bake Off fan but now I can understand forgetting to put the flour in’
With the new series of Bake Off now in full swing, Peter Sawkins has been tuning in each week to see how the batch of 12 contestants are faring under the scrutiny of judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Before his own time on the show he was a self-confessed superfan and, luckily, his love of the big white tent has not waned.
“I was a bit apprehensive to see the show because you have this really special experience and you wonder if it’s going to feel weird seeing everyone else in the tent,” he said. “But I just started watching as a fan again.
“I enjoy it even more now because I have more respect for what everyone
is going through. I know the application process. I know how much work it is week to week.
“I understand why they perhaps forgot to put the flour in or why they didn’t take something out of the freezer in time. When you’re there, when the cameras turn on and you’re trying to chat people through what you’re doing, and you’ve got (presenters) Matt and Noel coming up and spending a very fun time with you, you’re having to flip your focus. Then you remember that you’re on TV!”
He added with a laugh: “When you’ve gone through that, you can sympathise and understand why these things happen, while most people at home will pull their hair out and say, ‘How can you be so foolish?’
“I’m really glad I don’t watch it and get, you know, PTSD or feelings of stress. I’m really glad I’m still just a true fan of Bake Off.”