A former Great British Bake Off star has opened up about the ‘traumatic’ elements of the hit Channel 4 baking show’s first week, after the cosy reality show returned to screens this week.
Bake Off’s 2016 fan favourite Val Stones, who was dubbed the Cake Whisperer, recalled her stint in the infamous tent, which she described as ‘utterly crowded’ in the first stages.
Val, who was the fifth contestant to leave Bake Off’s seventh series, told The Sun of her entry week: “The first week is really traumatic, your hands are shaking and I saw some hands shaking. You get the cut fingers on the first week.
“I always say ask me on the second week [who will win] when they have a time to settle in.”
Val explained: “You're working in a space that is only about seven foot long. And you can't use any other space.
“It's utterly crowded. People don't get that when they watch it. They see it as serene, but when you're in the tent in those three week it’s hugely full of people. It's huge.
“You're busy and you have to elbow your way through people to get to get a bowl or a plate and you don't know where this is or that is and what have you. It's incredible. It's not a bit like what you see on TV.”
Talking of her relationship with judge Paul Hollywood, she said: “I was the only one who ever stood up to Paul because I was the oldest. Sometimes he would say to us, 'have you not practised at all?'
“And all the others are worried you know they were younger, but I've been a head teacher and I take no notice.
“I’d say, 'by the way Paul have you ever made 24 identical churros yourself? I bet you haven’t.'”
This comes after The Great British Bake Off returned to our screens on Tuesday evening with a cheeky Star Wars skit, which left fans exuberant that the Channel 4 favourite was back.
GBBO fans have been eager for the hotly anticipated new series, which once again features hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The four hit screens in a Star Wars-themed skit, kicked off with the infamous rolling credits reading: “A long time ago in a tent far, far away… well, earlier this year in Berkshire.”
A handful of hopeful amateur bakers descended on the infamous white tent to put their baking and pastry skills to the test as they try to prove their worth in the kitchen.
The Great British Bake Off returned after two years away due to the Covid pandemic, which put huge restrictions on filming and meant everyone had to operate in a Covid bubble.
