The Great British Bake Off

I agree with many of the other comments above. A lot of change is needed for the next series if they want to hold on to the regular viewers. They could do with starting over with new presenters and judges for a start. This series seemed quite mean spirited and giving no instructions for a technical challenge isn't big or clever, it just made the judges look petty and deliberately trying to set the bakers up to fail. It's supposed to be the best home bakers, what is wrong with past challenges of making wedding cakes or decorated bread (I still remember the lion!). Too much faffy construction, which isn't baking and the average home baker doesn't do it so it's not like you're watching thinking - ooh I'll try that on the weekend.

The official website actually describes the signature challenge as, "Testing the bakers’ personality, creative flair and baking ability, the main challenge here is to produce something cute, rustic and altogether home-made-looking. It’s in this test that the Bakers get to show off their tried-and-tested handcooked bites." How many times have the bakers been criticised when the bake doesn't look perfect or isn't uniform etc.

The last series of the Aussie BakeOff was great, and they seemed to get the balance right as far as creativity and traditional bakes are concerned. Some of the unusual (to us) flavours and ingredients being used like wattle, myrtle and finger limes were quite imaginative.

Probably if that's your thing but just not my kind of humour.

What sort of ratings does GBBO get these days? Way down on its heyday, I imagine.

I think the finals have often been disappointing throughout its existence. That said it's clear that the bakers are not being given chance to shine - lack of time, silly bakes and presenters woi aren't very interested in food. I like both of them but they openly admit that neither of them want to try half of what is being made - isn't Noel a vegan? And Matt confessed to having the taste buds of an 8 year old.

I'd like to see:
- the bakers being given enough time to finish bakes with flair
- the niceness returning where we see everyone just being nice to everyone else. The gentle acidity of Paul to leaven that a bit.
- bakes we can identify with more easily and which don't feel so much like Generation Game challenges

Host...

Shame it was Matt to leave rather than Noel who is the most irritating host on TV

How incredibly disappointing …. I’ve just read that the ubiquitous, untalented, annoying nonentity that is Alison Hammond is replacing Matt. Why ? Who does she know to get so many tv jobs with no talent ? She’ll add nothing. I won’t be watching, and I enjoy this programme. And I don’t care if everyone wants a go at me, I’m unbelievably disappointed.

I read it on the online news, just the headline , couldn’t bring myself to read it in full, I’m devastated. She must be on some kind of contract so they’re getting their moneys worth, saves paying someone with the required presenting skills .

Mute button will be heavily used for me then.
Out of curiosity how did her TV career/domination start?

Them’s fighting words!! The lovely Alison is a joy to watch - her interview with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling is TV gold, and her laugh can brighten any day.

Thats fair enough and we can't all like the same people.

🤣 Is it that obvious ? I just find her so amateurish and over indulged , and her inclusion will genuinely spoil one of my favourite programmes (just for me of course, they won’t miss me). Susan Calman would be a good choice .