The Great British Baking Show is about to unveil a fresh outlook, bidding adieu to its country-themed challenges to embrace a more inclusive vibe.
In recent times, the typically good-natured baking competition faced a storm of criticism during the last season when hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding took on sombreros and ponchos for “Mexico Week.” Their attempt to infuse humor with maracas and puns left some viewers cringing, deeming the entire affair inauthentic.
In response to the outcry, GBBS producer Kieran Smith shared with The Guardian, “We’ve decided to steer clear of national themes this year. We didn’t want to inadvertently upset anyone, but the world has evolved, and the humor missed the mark.”
In the aftermath of the “Mexico” episode’s release on Netflix in October 2022, judge Prue Leith clarified that the show never intended to create controversy. “There was absolutely no ill intent,” she explained. “That’s not the essence of the show.”
Reflecting on past seasons, it’s worth noting that GBBS has encountered similar moments. Two years ago, a contestant went viral for an unconventional avocado-peeling technique. During “Japanese Week,” Lucas raised eyebrows with a humorous reference to katsu curry as “cat poo curry,” and some bakers took inspiration from India and China for their Japanese-inspired desserts, sparking discussions.
In 2021, the memorable moment in “German Week” was Italian baker Giuseppe Dell’Anno triumphing over German contestant Jürgen Krauss, diverting attention from the actual theme.
As GBBS makes its return later this month, featuring Big Brother star and actress Alison Hammond stepping in for the departing Matt Lucas as co-host, the focus will shift back to the show’s core strengths, according to Smith.
“We’ll be revisiting all the classic categories: cakes, biscuits, bread, patisserie, chocolate,” he revealed. “And we’re introducing a new theme—party cakes. No spoilers, but we have some exciting challenges in store that we believe viewers will adore.”