Great British Bake Off tent descended into chaos after soaring temperatures wreak havoc on hopeful’s bakes
CONTESTANTS on the Great British Bake Off have been getting as steamed up as rush-hour commuters.
The soaring temperatures, which have made getting to and from work such an ordeal in recent weeks, have also played havoc in the TV show’s tent.
I’m told that Bake Off hosts Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding — judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith — along with C4 producers tried desperately to keep the hopefuls calm as they battled to stop their showstopping bakes from melting.
A source said: “There were some very anxious moments in the famous white tent, particularly as things approached the showstoppers. Anything remotely capable of melting was struggling as the temperatures continued to rise.
“There were a few close calls but producers did a fine job at trying to keep everybody away from a literal meltdown.”
The scenes, which will be aired in the autumn, were reminiscent of arguably the most silly moment in the show’s history.
Baked Alaska-gate, in 2014, saw contestant Iain Watters throw his melted Baked Alaska in the bin after it was accidentally removed from the freezer by contestant Diana Beard.
The scenes — when the show was on the BBC before its move to C4 last year — led to accusations of sabotage.
Diana denied taking his ice cream creation out the freezer “viciously” and Iain himself has said that he “doesn’t hold any grudges”.
I hope they all made up on a nice Mr Whippy.
Scarlett with rage at bra jibes
THERE are some tedious people in this world – but the worst of them must surely be people who see someone on TV and then troll them about their appearance.
Scarlett Moffatt, who is genuinely one of the nicest people in the industry, fell foul of these morons after showing a bit of her bra on Love Island’s Aftersun.
Hitting back at these comments after Sunday’s show, she tweeted: “I’m honestly ashamed of some people on here.
“Hard to pretend I’m OK and be a good role model to others about how it’s OK to just you when the comments from grown adults on here have resulted in me crying my eyes out. No wonder the amount of people, including myself, with social anxiety is increasing.
“Feel like I can’t even film TV shows without hating the way that I look after – from constantly being attacked because of my size and my appearance.”
Scarlett, you look great, so ignore those idiot trolls.
Strictly curse is putting of celeb dancers
STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses are struggling to find celebs willing to take to the dance floor.
And they are running out of time – with the official line-up due to be announced in less than a month.
Many A-listers are terrified of the curse of Strictly affecting their marriages, plus fed-up producers have slapped a ban on reality stars.
A telly source said: “For once, Strictly is not fully-booked and bosses are in a bit of a panic.
“Usually by now all the dancers know whether they have partners or not – but this year they’re in the dark.
“People in the Strictly team are used to a well-oiled machine, but some are raising eyebrows at the lack of talent bookings confirmed.”
Stars rumoured to be taking part include Stormzy's girlfriend Maya Jama, presenter Anneka Rice, ex-EastEnder Samantha Womack and Union J hunk Josh Cuthbert.
They will be hoping to emulate soap actor Joe McFadden and dancer pro Katya Jones, who won the glitterball prize last year.
I thought the 2017 line-up was a bit lack- lustre, so fingers crossed they’ve got a belter up their sleeves . . .
soapbox
In Eastenders, Jean is pressing Hayley to look after herself for the sake of the baby, so is concerned when she and Kat go out on the moped to continue their taxi driver training.
Over on Nrighbours, Mark becomes suspicious when Liz’s missing purse is found. And Toadie and Sonya go to see Andrea, only for him to be rocked by a cryptic remark she makes.
Meanwhile, in Home and Away, Coco finally gets hold of Ziggy, who is keen to return home and Ben brings her back in a speedboat.
Elsewhere, Ty and Ryder make up, but Raffy makes the decision to move back in with the Morgans.
Dales in return to WW1
UNSUNG World War One heroes from the village that inspired Emmerdale are to have their stories told by the soap’s stars.
A six-part documentary called Emmerdale 1918 will see actors investigate the exploits of their characters’ wartime counterparts in Esholt, West Yorks.
Outdoor scenes of the ITV series were filmed on location in the village from 1976 to 1996, and the set is still based on the picturesque spot.
Those taking part in the series, which will screen in the autumn, include Natalie J Robb, who plays farmer Moira Dingle. She will look at the village’s Women’s Land Army volunteers.
Meanwhile, Mark Charnock, who plays chef Marlon Dingle, will investigate the work of villagers who became Army cooks.
He will also go in search of information about an extraordinary local lad.
The series will also be accompanied by a tie-in book called Christmas At Emmerdale.
And it builds up to all the cast members involved coming together in Emmerdale’s Memorial Hall alongside surviving relatives of some of the heroes whose stories they have told.
It could be the most moving visit to Emmerdale ever seen.
Must watch
WHAT? Age Before Beauty, BBC1, 9pm.
WHY? This new drama set in a hair salon is created by Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield and stars Robson Green, Sue Johnston and Lisa Riley.
- Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has signed up for the French version of Strictly Come Dancing.The show, Danse Avec Les Stars, returns for its ninth series and also features the daughter of French former footballer David Ginola, Carla.