Bake Off: The Professionals returned to our screens last night as Stacey Solomon made her presenting debut.
Stacey joined the show after beloved presenter Tom Allen announced his exit, and she was joined by Liam Charles as the hunt for Britain’s best patisserie team began for its latest series.
The Loose Women presenter took to social media to share her anxieties before the episode aired, she 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."
But Channel 4 viewers were quickly left complaining about the Tom-sized hole in the show’s presenting line-up, writes the Mirror.
As the show got underway, fans took to Twitter to react to Stacey’s replacement of Tom as the co-host of Bake Off The Professionals.
One wrote: “I am so sorry and I really like Stacey, but it's a no from me. I will be recording and using fast forward a lot. So gutted as I LOVE this show.”
Another posted: “No no no what have you done I can't watch this with Stacey to me her voice is like nails on a chalkboard.”
A third chimed: “Oh no. New presenter on Bake Off The Professionals. Turned it off already.”
A fellow tongue in cheek fan wrote: “Pourquoi le Solomon ? Je suis not appy!” before another wrote: “I like Stacey but I don’t think bake off professionals is right for her.”
Several fans were left calling for Tom’s return to the show, with one writing: “Wait what WHERE’S TOM this is not ok.”
Another tweeted: “You swapped the wrong presenter! Bring back Tom Allen!”
Another wrote: “Um hello where is Tom on Bake Off The Professionals nothing against Stacey Solomon but love Tom Allen.”
A fellow fan tweeted: “Seriously? You keep Liam and add Stacey Solomon? This is going to be a tough watch.”
Another wrote at the start of the show: “Time for Bake Off The Professionals. I miss Tom Allen already but good luck Stacy.”
“My wife has absolutely no idea who Stacey is. I tried you explain to her, but realised I've know idea either. And why is Liam still there? Really is it that hard to find people to host a fantastic show?” one fan explained.
But a number of viewers praised the choice of Stacey as host, with one writing: “Love Stacey. I'm so happy GBBO is back.”
“Stacey Solomon is already ace at this,” another tweets as a third wrote: “Stacey Solomon is a truly inspired choice of host. I am already obsessed.”
Another concluded: “Such a refreshing change to have Stacey Solomon presenting.”
Tom Allen announced his departure from Bake Off: The Professionals in February, saying it was “time to move on”.
He said: “I’ve had the best time co-hosting The Professionals down in Sussex with my wonderful friend Lam but now is the time to move on.
“It was my first TV presenting job back in 2018 and it has taught me so much – thanks to the amazing team with whom I’ve loved working, all the incredible chefs and most of all Benoit, Cherish and of course the brilliant Liam. Have a great series, you guys!! X”
As patisserie teams from establishments in Manchester, Cumbria, Wiltshire, Birmingham, and London competed for the coveted Bake Off crown, judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden tasked the pastry chefs on Tuesday night to create 36 individual strawberry cakes and a chocolate sculpture, with no recipe to work from.
They were then challenged to transform an ordinary treacle tart into a fine dining experience.
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