Stacey Solomon has been supported by her family and friends after making her presenting debut on Bake Off: The Professionals. The Loose Women star has replaced comedian Tom Allen as the host of the Great British Bake Off spin-off alongside Liam Charles.
Tom announced his departure from Bake Off: The Professionals in February, saying it was "time to move on" before Stacey's appointment as co-host of the show was then announced. Bake Off: The Professionals said in a social media post: "Choux la la! We're chuffed to announce that @StaceySolomon will be joining @LiamCBakes, @BenoitBlinMCA, @Cherish_Finden and for the next series of Bake Off: The Professionals. Welcome to the petit fours-ome, Stacey! #GBBO."
While her first appearance on the Channel 4 show, which sees industry chefs compete instead of amateur bakers, left viewers divided, Stacey was sharing her pre-show nerves with her millions of followers before best friend, cleaning queen Mrs Hinch - aka Sophie Hinchliffe - came to her rescue.
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In a video posted to her Instagram Story, the mum-of-four said: "Oh my gosh, I just got a message from Bake Off. I completely forget it starts tonight. I'm so nervous because when you're on the telly, people let you know if they hate you." She added: "But, if you're watching it tonight I hope you enjoy it and I'd love to know what you think. Unless of course you think I'm a big horse face who shouldn't be on the telly then in that case don't let me know."
Meanwhile, posting on Instagram, Sophie shared a touching picture of herself holding hands with Stacey while watching a clip of the baking show in the back of a car. She wrote: "Bake of time. Proud." Sophie also added a little white heart.
Stacey also shared a video of Mrs Hinch holding her hand while she watched herself on Bake Off: The Professionals on her phone, Stacey penned: "Here we go. Real friends pick you up and take you out when you're nervous and then sit in the back of a car watching you watch yourself for telly" followed by laughing emojis.
The pair did eventually make it to an undisclosed location where the pair tucked in to a bag of popcorn with the first episode of the series still being played on the phone. "Thank you," she wrote across the post. "Your messages have made my night. I'm so grateful for you all," she added alongside a crying emoji.
