The Great Christmas Bake Off 2023

[BishyBarnyBee]

Anyone watching? Really enjoyed it, but did find myself shouting at the telly a lot.

Firstly, there is categorically no place for fondant or marshmallow anywhere near a mince pie.

Secondly, George - you are gorgeous and your flavours rock but surely by the time you get on Bake Off, you know how to shape bread dough into round without having to cut the edges off?

And finally, Dan - your showstopper was amazing and you were robbed! How could they give Star Baker to Sophie after she burnt her bread dough? Just a travesty.

Other than that, both enjoyable and festive. Looking forward to part 2 next week.

Was Dan the one with the pear cake? Agree. Only caught the last 30 minutes though. They always seem to invite really random contestants who I struggle to remember though rather than the ones who narrowly missed out.

I was shouting at the telly because I just can't stand the lie that it is Christmas. All of them bloody lying through their teeth - it's so patronising and corny and just does my head in!! Does anyone actually believe it is? If so they are thick as mince.

Looking forward to the return of Jurgen next week!

Siobhan McSweeney made a little comment about the heat on the Christmas Throwdown that I assume was making this point - all togged up in their woolies but presumably filmed months ago.

But if you don't like patronising and corny, surely Bake Off always drives you crazy? All the comedy is super-cheesy, and there is also a good dollop of patronisation throughout, particularly the older regional bakers who are allowed to be National Treasures but rarely serious contenders. But I can't help myself, I still love it....

@movingstars yes to Jurgen! Will he get the chance to reverse the 2022 travesty, I wonder? Looking forward to it.