Too mean, too ignorant, too little actual baking: has Bake Off lost its charm for good?

High expectations and harsh judging … Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off 2022. Photograph: Mark Bourdillon

No, it isn’t just you. There has been something really wrong with The Great British Bake Off this year.

And it’s not the bakers, who have once again been a delight. Syabira has a gift for flavours and has been an unstoppable force in the tent. Sandro’s globe made out of mousse has been matched only by his dedication to smashing gender stereotypes. And then there’s Janusz, who has baked in high heels, dedicated a showstopper to his sausage dog Nigel and lit up the screen with his exceptional use of innuendo (particularly his arch announcement about plans to create vol-au-vents with “12 bottoms, and then 24 tops!”).