Great British Bake Off hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins plan to open their own tea shop at end of reality show
TV duo are ready to swap presenting for the kitchen after judge Paul Hollywood taught them how to make delicious cakes
GREAT British Bake Off presenters SUE PERKINS and MEL GIEDROYC plan to open their own tea shop.
The pair developed the idea after judge PAUL HOLLYWOOD taught them to bake.
Mel told : “We’ve started talking quite seriously about setting up a little tea shop.
“We have this fantasy that, when the whole show is over, we’ll set one up and bake for our customers.
“I did point out it would be very hard work, seven days a week.
“So it may just be a pop-up or a seasonal thing, but we’re both really excited about the idea.
“I have lots to learn though and feel like such a phoney when people ask my advice about baking.
“For the first time this year, I have actually done some!
“Paul gave us a good recipe for no-knead bread and Sue showed me how to make soda bread.
Cake-wise, we made a pineapple upside-down sponge, which was a bit of a hit with the crew. And I really loved making it.”
With all the treats on offer, Mel goes on a cake detox in the run-up to the show, whose 12million viewers will be welcoming it back to BBC screens on August 24.
Mel said: “The most challenging thing about the series is fitting back into the clothes we start off in.
It’s the same for all of us, except MARY BERRY. She is very careful because she is not just doing Bake Off.
“She is at food events seven days a week and she has got so much self-discipline that she just has tiny little morsels, like a bird.”
The show returns two weeks later than usual to avoid clashing with Rio 2016.
With the ratings it pulls in, there’s a solid argument for baking to be an Olympic sport.
Strictly for bird
BIRDS of a Feather really do stick together.
LINDA ROBSON has backed co-star LESLEY JOSEPH for Strictly Come Dancing success.
In an exclusive chat, Linda, with Lesley in the sitcom, said her pal would be fantastic in the BBC1 dance contest, which is back on our screens next month.
She said: “She has just finished touring with Annie.
"I went to see her twice. She is amazing.
"She really is a performer and will remember every dance step and she will be the first one to wear short skirts.
"She’s got the legs for it too – she’ll be there in her fishnets.”
But there’s no chance of seeing Linda on Strictly.
She added: “I was asked to do it last year but I can’t remember a routine. I would be the joke one on the show. You have to know what you are capable of.”
She’s doing just fine as she is.
SOAPBOX
WALFORD womaniser Grant Mitchell proves old habits really do die hard on EASTENDERS – as he gets passionate with one of Albert Square’s women.
His relationship with brother Phil at breaking point, Grant hooks up with one lucky lady in a bid to distract himself from his family problems.
While many think old flame Sharon would be top of Grant’s list, I don’t think his next hook-up will be who we are expecting.
Meanwhile, Nick Tilsley faces a backlash on CORONATION STREET after getting Robert Preston arrested for drink driving.
Nick tipped off cops as part of his revenge campaign over their bistro feud. As their war wages on, I wonder who will come out on top.
Goggle Sandy's song bid
SHE has conquered prime-time telly on Gogglebox and now SANDY CHANNER hopes she can top the charts too.
The Channel 4 star, is releasing a cover of retro 1980 hit Casanova by Coffee as her first single.
And she already has her sights set on a record deal.
Speaking at the monthly 90's Brunch at Floripa in East London on Saturday, she said: “I’ve recorded a song and it’s called Casanova. I want to push it to No1.
“I’m looking to do an album too. It’s about bringing back good music.”
Sandy, who appears on Gogglebox with best friend SANDRA MARTIN, added: “Nowadays, you can’t tell what people are singing about – you don’t understand what they’re saying.
“I think I’m better than quite a lot of artists out there.”
A good singer and modest too?
Swanning in on TV set
NATALIE PORTMAN will be heading to the TV screen for the first time.
The Black Swan actress is teaming up with Friends creator MARTA KAUFFMAN for a new HBO mini-series.
Her first TV appearance is an adaption of Karen Joy Fowler’s critically acclaimed novel We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves, which was shortlisted for the 2014 Man Booker prize.
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