The Great British Bake Off is reportedly undergoing a “huge revamp” after the latest season was the lowest-rated in the show’s history.
The thirteenth season of the beloved Channel 4 series, which saw Syabira Yusoff crowned winner, saw fans brand the challenges “inaccessible” while others complained that the show had “lost its identity”.
Not only that, but last season’s final was watched by 5.2 million viewers, which was two million down from the 7.2 million 2021’s finale brought in, making it the lowest-rated since the format moved to Channel 4 in 2017.
In light of the criticism, it has been reported that show is set to go “back to basics” and will boast more classic baking tasks for the next series set to air later this year.
A TV insider told The Mirror: “There is a realisation [that] last year’s show didn’t really work. We’re going to strip it back to basics, with a few twists.’
The Standard has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
It comes after the boss of Love Productions, which makes GBBO, said that they had taken the feedback on board and are aiming to making the next series the best it can be.
Love Production’s Richard McKerrow told Rethink Audio’s The Media Podcast with Matt Deegan: “I’d be the first to hold up our hands and say, ‘I feel the last series was not our strongest.’
“Heading into season 14 you have to take a look at it and think: ‘S**t, [are] the challenges too complicated?”
“We are looking very, very hard at making sure [this next series] is as good as it can be.”
Not only are production aiming to make the next series the best, they’re also looking for a new presenter after Matt Lucas announced his departure.
The comedian, 48, stunned fans when he confirmed in December that he was quitting the popular Channel 4 show after three years, which he had co-hosted with Noel Fielding since 2020.
He said his decision to leave was motivated by his desire to focus on other writing projects.
