Some Great British Bake Off viewers have called for a change to elimination rules as the first contestant was given the boot from the new series.
As the nights drawn in and 2021 hurtles by, Bake Off has returned to screens to give millions of fans so much needed midweek warmth.
The new series kicked off in hilarious fashion with a re-working of Billy Ray Cyrus classic Achy Breaky Heart which saw judge Paul Hollywood belt out a chorus about a 'flaky pastry tart' as he was flanked by colleague Pru Leith and hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding as his 'band.'
READ MORE: Bake Off viewers in hysterics at bizarre opening as show returns
After a bizarre start to proceedings, the serious matter of the week one challenges took centre stage, with the first task seeing this year's bakers tasked with creating their own take on mini rolls, before the final round tasked them with coming up with a gravity defying illusion cake to impress Paul and Pru.
Some contestants' cakes failed on the defying gravity brief, with Amanda seeing hers tumble off the side of the bench as it flopped to one side.
But in the end, after immediate fan favourite Jurgen was awarded the first Star Baker title of 2021, it was Kent-based software developer Tom who was given his marching orders from the tent.
And, while there wasn't too much disagreement to the result on Twitter, there was plenty of support for a change to the rules so that no-one gets eliminated in week one.
That is the approach typically adopted by Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off fans feel it would be a fairer way of doing things.
As the credits rolled on episode one, one viewer tweeted: "Everyone should get a free pass the first week of Bake Off. No one goes home and then they do a double elimination later in the series."
Echoing the same sentiments, another posted: "I've often thought that in these knockout shows like Bake Off, nobody should leave in the first week, so we get a bit more time to know everyone better."
Others were just thrilled to have Bake Off back on TV with on enthusing: "Bake off I’ve missed you! @GBBOUK Glorious contestants this year."
Next week will see the 2021 bakers tackle the often difficult Biscuit Week.
See the latest news in your area by receiving email updates
