The Great British Bake off made a much welcome return to screens and things got off to an unusual start. Fans of the Channel 4 show have been counting down the days for it to be back on screens after the broadcaster decided to press on with its planned broadcast of the opening episode of the series on Tuesday night (September 13).
There were questions over whether the show would air as normal after a number of changes were made to the TV schedules following the Queen's death. Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully last Thursday, September 8, at Balmoral, her Scottish Highlands home. As the new series of Bake Off began, the late monarch's coffin arrived at Buckingham Palace ahead of her state funeral next week.
However, in a break from news coverage, Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas were back frolicking around in the famous tent as 12 brand new amateur bakers made their debut with cake week. They were once again being judged by Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith.
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And Bake Off fans were happy to see it back. @shandy2703 tweeted: "@BritishBakeOff autumn has arrived... So excited #GBBO." @RyanJL commented: "Never been more excited for a brand new series of Bake Off. An hour and a half escape from everything else #GBBO."
But before the baking began, Noel, Matt, Prue and Paul all starred in a comical sketch which has become somewhat of a Bake Off tradition. Prior to the show airing, there was a hint as to what was to come as the show's official Twitter account posted a picture of the quartet dressed up in Star Wars attire.
"Bake Wars - Return of the Breadi," was printed across the image in an apparent pun of Return of the Jedi, and the caption read: "Tonight on your television in a tent far, far away… The Great British Bake Off returns!"
In the picture, Paul can be seen dressed as Darth Vader, minus a helmet and instead in the dark character's brown cape holding a lightsaber with a rolling pin handle. Meanwhile, Matt is dressed as Luke Skywalker wielding a hand-held mixer.
Noel has been made to look like Princess Leia, but with bagels substituting for the 'buns' of the character's famous hairstyle while Dame Prue had developed fur like that of Chewbacca. And all was explained at the start of the first episode of the series.
Matt and Noel were the first to appear, dubbed 'Luke Piewalker' and 'Princess Layer Cake'. They exchanged a few words before they introduced the character of 'Pruebacca'. Prue then appeared in the aforementioned Chewbacca costume but still wearing her signature bright coloured jewellery.
Paul was the last to appear as Darth Vader and proceeded to take his lightsaber and slice a pie in half. And Bake Off viewers were quick to flock to social media and comment. @quandromache tweeted: "I see #gbbo has started off absolutely bonkers this year."
@em_ilycat shared: "Somebody had so much fun writing that opening Star Wars scene and I’m here for it. #GBBO." @warrenallsworth shared: "I’ll be honest. Pru Leith dressed as Chewbacca wouldn’t have been high on my list of expected #GBBO openings…" @rafiews wrote: "#GBBO has been back for less than 2 minutes and they’ve already dressed Pru as Chewbacca I love this unhinged show."
@EurovisionEmily penned: "Starting off the season with a Star Wars - Bake Off crossover was the best decision ever made #GBBO." @stphsmn87 shared: "Not #gbbo doing a Star Wars sketch. I love this show. But one fan, @StuartKenny33, did appear concerned as they tweeted: "#GBBO OK, someone's getting sued by Disney."
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