The Great British Bake Off is embroiled in a new row after fans accused contestant Tasha of “faking an illness” to stay on the show.
During Wednesday’s episode, Tasha fell into the overheated tent and had to leave in the middle of the “Chocolate Week” episode.
The 27-year-old baker is the Channel 4 show’s first ever deaf contestant and appears on the show alongside her BSL interpreter Daryl.
After a disappointing result in the tricky signature challenge, viewers noticed Tasha looked “pale” during the technical baking, which involved making a chocolate cake without wheat flour.
A poorly looking Tasha told the crew: “It’s pretty hot, I need some air” before being taken outside.
Tension: The Great British Bake Off is embroiled in a new row after fans accused contestant Tasha of “faking an illness” to stay on the show
The tearful contestant was comforted by new presenter Alison Hammond as the show’s schedule was thrown into disarray.
Tasha was filmed outside chatting to the camera crew as she revealed she had been suffering from a migraine the night before and the decision was made to go home.
After Matty picked up the Star Baker award for his chocolate box showstopper, judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith announced they had decided to sit out the eliminations – but instead two bakers would go home the following week.
Fans were cynical about her early exit, especially after her first offer was less than perfect.
One Twitter user said: “I would feel sick too if I messed up the first bake and then the second.”
Another said: “I’m not happy Tasha gets to stay…free pass for next week.”NOT FAIR’
A third added: “It’s not fair that Tasha can just skip this week and go straight to next week. “And it just so happens to be the week she wasn’t feeling well…”
Fight: The tearful contestant was comforted by new host Alison Hammond as the show’s schedule descended into chaos
Fix: Fans were cynical about her early exit, especially after her first offer was less than perfect
The Great British Bake Off descended into chaos on Wednesday night after Tasha fell into the overheated tent and had to leave midway through the Chocolate Week episode.
The 27-year-old baker is the Channel 4 show’s first ever deaf contestant and appears on the show alongside her BSL interpreter Daryl.
After a disappointing result in the tricky signature challenge, viewers noticed Tasha looked “pale” during the technical baking, which involved making a chocolate cake without wheat flour.
A poorly looking Tasha told the crew: “It’s pretty hot, I need some air” before being taken outside.
The tearful contestant was comforted by new presenter Alison Hammond as the show’s schedule was thrown into disarray.
Tasha was filmed outside chatting to the camera crew as she revealed she had been suffering from a migraine the night before and the decision was made to go home.
After Matty picked up the Star Baker award for his chocolate box showstopper, judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith announced they had decided to sit out the eliminations – but instead two bakers would go home the following week.
The 27-year-old baker is the Channel 4 show’s first ever deaf contestant and appears on the show alongside her BSL interpreter Daryl
Reaction: Bake Off fans were quick to criticize producers for hosting a chocolate week in the middle of the heatwave
Other fans showed their support for Tasha and criticized Bake Off producers for hosting a chocolate week in the middle of the heatwave.
One said: “Do they purposely choose chocolate week on the hottest day of the year every year or what?”
Another said: “Nah man but they really made it so chocolate weeks fell on a heatwave day???”
A third added: “Why do they never learn.”
Viewers were quick to express their sympathy for Tasha and their disappointment that she had to leave the challenge midway.
“Poor Tasha,” one commented, while another said: “Poor Tasha, you can tell how devastated she is that she can’t complete the challenge.”
GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2023: WHO ARE THE PARTICIPANTS?
Tasha
Age: 27
Occupation: Investment representative
From: Bristol
Bake Off presenters have learned sign language as the show welcomes its first deaf contestant.
Tasha, 27, is an entry representative from Bristol and will be taking part in the show with her BSL interpreter Daryl.
She said: “When I got the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the twelve, I cried.” Daryl also cried. We were a mess.’
Amos
Age: 43
Occupation: Deli and food manager
From: North London
Amos describes his baked goods as a labor of love – his style is colorful and chic with great attention to detail and he loves exploring different flavor profiles.
He compares his baking style to the converted church he now lives in, calling both his style and his home “traditional with a modern twist.”
rowan
Age: 21
Occupation: University student
From: West Yorkshire
“Go big or go home” is student Rowan’s motto and one he has always applied to his baked goods.
As a student of English literature, when he’s not writing great pieces, Rowan is also an enthusiastic host who brings his creative eye to the kitchen.
Abbi
Age: 27
Occupation: Vegetable grower and delivery driver
From: Cumbria
As a lover of nature, she looks for seasonal ingredients and uses her home-grown vegetables wisely.
Abbi’s baked goods aim to combine comfort and familiarity with a strong nod to nature and the feeling of creating something magical – baked goods with a touch of fairytale.
Cristy
Age: 33
Occupation: PA
From: East London
For Cristy, life with four children means there is always a birthday to bake and an exciting party to plan.
She describes her baking style as enchanting and pretty – baked goods that evoke a feeling of childhood.
Dan
Age: 42
Occupation: Resource planner for civil engineering
From: Cheshire
Perfectionist Dan loves baking challenges and often finds the most difficult baking process in one of his 300 cookbooks.
When he’s not baking, he enjoys playing soccer with his two young sons or foraging for edible treats in the countryside.
Dana
Age: 25
Occupation: database administrator
From: Essex
She loves a semi-naked cake with clean lines, pretty piping and minimalist decoration; And while she likes to go easy on her flavors, Dana often adds a twist or two by adding familiar spices tied to her Indian heritage.
Josh
Age: 27
Occupation: Postdoctoral researcher, research assistant
From: Leicestershire
A chemist by trade, postdoctoral researcher Josh brings his scientist’s precision and experimental spirit to the kitchen, taking careful notes on every part of the baking process.
Keith
Age: 60
Profession: auditor
From: Hampshire
Keith has a love of apple pie and fairy cakes – he learned to bake from his mother.
The treats form the baking backdrop for Keith’s childhood, along with his mother’s love of traditional dishes from her native Malta.
Matty
Age: 28
Occupation: Sports and science teacher
From: Cambridgeshire
He describes his style as rustic but neat and his taste preferences as quite traditional – he particularly loves chocolate, citrus fruits and nuts.
Once his days in the tent are over, his next challenge will be baking his own wedding cake.
Nicky
Age: 52
Occupation: Retired cabin crew and volunteer
From: West Midlands
Her favorite baked goods are pastries, but she also loves making fun birthday cakes for her niece and grandchildren.
When she’s not baking, Nicky volunteers at an animal therapy charity with her dog Bracken and loves skiing, which she has done since she was three years old.
Saku
Age: 50
Occupation: Intelligence analyst
From: Herefordshire
Saku didn’t have an oven in her family home in Sri Lanka until she was 18, so it wasn’t until she moved to the UK with her husband in 2003 that she turned to baking.
As an autodidact, she enjoys using home-grown ingredients from her vegetable patch.