Viewers of The Great British Bake Off were left 'sobbing' by the end of the first episode of the series as the first 'Star Baker' was crowned and the first amateur baker was given the boot. The popular Channel 4 baking show returned to screens on Tuesday night (September 13) with 'cake week' kicking off proceedings.
Fans were introduced to the 12 contestants for the first time with those swapping their day jobs for a Bake Off apron including a nuclear scientist, an architectural assistant, a music teacher and a former charity director.
The first episode kicked off with hosts Matt and Noel Fielding and judges Dame Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood taking part in a Star Wars-themed sketch before viewers were given a first glimpse at the new bakers and the classic opening credits rolled. Matt and Noel were the first to appear, dubbed 'Luke Piewalker' and 'Princess Layer Cake'.
And it was soon over to the judges to be introduced, with Prue being welcomed as the character of 'Pruebacca'. The 82-year-old then appeared in a Chewbacca costume but still wearing her signature jewellery while Paul made his entrance as Darth Vader and proceeded to take his lightsaber and slice a pie in half.
While viewers liked the quirky opening, it was soon time to get on with the first round of the competition. The 12 bakers were put through their paces with three tough cake-related challenges, the first of which involved making a batch of mini sandwich cakes. For the technical, the contestants were tasked with making a red velvet cake set for them by Prue.
And for their final challenge of week one, the Showstopper saw the contestants create culinary versions of homes from their lives that meant something to them, allowing them to show off both their decorative and architectural skills.
In the end, Janusz was named the first star baker of the series. while Will became the first baker to be eliminated from The Great British Bake Off 2022. But it was Janusz's comments in his final moments on screen for the evening that really got to viewers. "Winning star baker on the cake week means everything to me," he said.
As he was seen crying in the tent while being congratulated by his fellow backers, Janusz's said: "I've cried so many times. I think my boyfriend will be really proud." As he jumped onto FaceTime to share the happy news with his loved ones, he told them he had won 'star caker' in 'bake week', clearly overcome with emotion and got the two muddled up.
But it quickly got Bake Off viewers warming to him even more. @DocPhoenix tweeted: "'I've been a star caker in the bake week.' Sobbing #GBBO." @hare_tasks commented: "STAR CAKER IN THE BAKE WEEK. Yes, we love him #GBBO." @GaelSwin shared: "'Star caker in the bake week' HE MUST WIN #GBBO."
@Steph_Doyle wrote: "Janusz must be protected at all costs. #GBBO." @LawrenShaw penned: "Janusz for the win. He's delightful #GBBO." @grace_is_sugoi added: "'I won star caker in the bake week' Janusz automatically entering my favourites list #GBBO."
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