Where There's Cake, There's Hope...Bake Off 25

[GetSetFake]

The new series starts on Tuesday 2nd September and the bakers have been named. A few weeks earlier than recent seasons, so taking us nicely from late summer through to the cosiness of autumn.

No change to the team of Paul, Prue, Noel and Alison, which I thought worked well last year - it was a warmer and kinder programme than it has been for a few years.

The usual eclectic mix of contestants, but less of an age spread than some years - a lot of 30 somethings, no-one under 20 or over 60.

Anyone else excited for this season?

The Great British Bake Off confirms return date for season 16 and reveals cast | Radio Times

Having not long watched Bake Off: The Professionals, the Bake Off bakes compare very favourably to some of the professional bakes on that. It should be a good year if they’re all that standard.

Iain the transman

Wait! What?

I love Bake Off but found last night's episode quite boring.

Thought it a shame Hassan went, he came across as a really likeable guy.

I like Tom and would like to see him go far.

I said exactly that when it started but when he started speaking I wasn't sure.

Poor Hassan, he had an absolute shocker

I thought it was pretty obvious once you know.

How do you know?

someone posted up thread.

But is that a reliable source? I've not seen it mentioned anywhere else.

I've looked online and found nothing to suggest he's trans. This is how false information gets spread. If someone has a credible source, they should cite it. Otherwise, we shouldn't don't speculate or take what someone has said on the internet as true without evidence.

Just caught up. Hassan was lovely. Feeling sad they didn't keep him in just for niceness vibes for another week or so.

Of course it isn't. But when you watch the programme if you are looking out for it you can tell. But I may be wrong. I have no views on gender identity either way and don't want to get drawn into a political discussion about it.

I agree. Let's just call Iain Iain.

Why don't you ask @itsachickeninnit who was the first to post it?

I'm loving the proper Scottish spelling for a start!

You can't tell just by looking! And I'm not trying to draw anyone into a political argument. I just wish people wouldn't invent baseless speculation and false rumours.

If you say so. But I didn't post it first.

I made a much more inflammatory comment about Pru's appearance, but no-one seems to mind about that.

Another segment I’d like instead of the skits or spoilers would be each contestant demonstrating their favourite bake, maybe pre-recorded at home or in the tent. They could show it after the technical challenge to break up the days.
I’d love to see the bakers enthusiastically making something well in their comfort zone without time pressure. I bet the bakes would be beautiful and delicious too.

Checking in and excited to follow! I like the new technical challenge. Bit of a refresh.

...I like the little skits at the start 😳

I’ve just watched now. The guy whose cake fell apart and he pulled it out of the bag!

Hated the skit at the beginning.

Bless,Hassan- Aldi are already making witty ads about his Swiss Roll catastrophe.

That might actually be quite nice for him - it must be so anti climactic to go out in week1 and even if it's taking the piss, it's a bit of attention and hopefully not too mean!

I think I read that the week 1 bakers have a little group where they support each other because it's so tough to get so far, put all that effort in and crash out so early.

Why are the challenges so difficult in the time given? Iwould much rather see excellent baking rather than bizarre challenges.

Iain has an Adam's Apple...

Oh can we not, can we not, can we not.

Iain is a lovely man who makes lovely cakes. Full stop. His Instagram is actually very impressive and I recommend checking it out.

Sorry, that lost post was making it sound as if you were being Iain there and obviously you were weren't. You didn't say anything wrong. Just anxious to avoid a thread full of gender rubbish for once. Sorry.