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Last year's forgettable series proved that nanas and young pups make the most memorable bakers. Why haven't lessons been learned?
Like a tricky technical challenge, this year’s baker’s dozen have been placed on the gingham altar for our inspection. Having peered at them from several angles, poked critically at their crumb structure and raised a quizzical eyebrow Paul Hollywood-style, my initial verdict is: “Very nice but where are the nanas?”
Channel 4 has unveiled its line-up of contestants for the Covid-delayed 11th series of The Great British Bake Off and it’s a delight to see them-all eager grins, wide-eyed doughy dreams and pristine calico-cotton aprons. The nation’s favourite sweet-toothed contest returning at last will be a soothing balm after a deeply strange six months.
The 12 hopefuls look as wholesome as ever, with a generous pinch of intriguing characters. There’s a radiographer, a music teacher, a panto producer and an armoured guard. There’s the prospect of the first ever paraplegic contestant in Cornish sculptor Marc, a single father who lost his leg in a motorbike accident. Much-needed and long-awaited, this could be the most heartwarming series in years. Yet something about the casting still doesn’t feel quite right.
Bake Off is at its glorious best when it’s populated by eccentrics of all ages. Past fan favourites range from the frighteningly young pups (Flora Shedden, Liam Charles) to the hobbyist middle-aged...