Great British Bake Off host Sandi Toksvig chooses Danish pastry theme to challenge wannabe bakers
BAKE Off bosses took a risk when they let offbeat presenter Noel Fielding loose on choosing a theme for the next series.
But while his idea means the show will have its first ever vegan week, the contestants will be pleased to hear that co-host Sandi Toksvig’s suggestion is more straightforward.
I can reveal the Copenhagen-born presenter has gone for a Danish theme.
Bakers will have to brush up on their pastry skills to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith as well as Sandi and Noel. A telly source said: “Producers wanted to give Sandi and Noel a bit more input this year and decided to give them some control over the format of the show.
“The filming for Danish week was a lot of fun and Sandi had to do all she could to stop herself from helping the contestants with some of her top tips from back home.
“It makes for great telly and everyone on the show agrees that it gives the series a new lease of life.” Sandi was born in the Danish capital but spent most of her youth growing up in New York City, where her dad worked as a foreign correspondent for Denmark’s national broadcaster.
The series is set to return to screens this month for its second outing on Channel 4 since leaving the BBC in a £75million deal two years ago. Last year’s final was watched by 11million viewers.
Mixing up the recipe for this well-loved format can only be a good thing.
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ANDY HALLS'
BIZARRE TV COLUMN
bizbit
ROGUE trader Nick Leeson has signed up for Celebrity Big Brother, which starts this week.
The disgraced financier was jailed in 1995 for being behind a dodgy trading account which brought down Barings Bank.
Peacock family pride
BLADE runner Jonnie Peacock isn’t the only member of his family to show sporting talent.
The Paralympian, who won gold at London, 2012, learns his grandfather was a gifted footballer on BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are? next Monday at 9pm.
Johnnie Roberts was approached to play for Leeds United in the Sixties – but lost out when his dad sent the club representative packing.
On the show, Jonnie’s mum Linda says: “A scout from Leeds turned up and knocked on my nan and grandad’s door to ask Dad to come for a trial at Leeds.
“But my grandad told the bloke where to get off. My grandad was a force to be reckoned with.”
Footballer Johnnie, whose dad wanted him to take a “proper job” as a painter and decorator, died in 1992, the year before sprinter Jonnie was born.
The story strikes a chord with Jonnie. He also had dreams of becoming a soccer star before he got meningitis, age five, leading to his right leg being amputated.
Looking back on his grandfather’s story, Jonnie says: “He could have been like Jamie Vardy. It is a big shame that I never got to meet him and I think we would have really got on.
"I was football mad growing up so talking to him about all he’d done in football, I’d have probably loved that.”
bizbit
BLIND Date’s innuendos nearly went too far on Saturday when a Welshman offered to show another contestant his “rugby balls”.
A viewer said: “Imagine these questions and answers back in Cilla’s day. It’d be taken off air . . .”
Poldark six note
Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield has confirmed there will be a sixth season of the BBC1 drama.
Speaking on Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday, she said: “We still have five books to do. The BBC wants to do the final five books, the cast want to do it and I want to do it.
“So I’m sure, yes, there will be a sixth series – but it won’t be for some time”
Aidan Turner with Eleanor Tomlinson as Demelza, had better keep those famous abs in good nick.
bizbit
FOODIES will be glad to hear that Mary Berry show Britain’s Best Home Cook is returning this year.
The BBC1 programme – hosted by Claudia Winkleman – is on the hunt for budding chefs to take part in the new series.
Hot look for Atlanta
Kylie Minogue might want to watch her title as queen of hot pants as Anita Rani has put in a fairly good bid.
The Countryfile presenter had to dance around in the tiny shorts for Bollywood: The World’s Biggest Film Industry which starts on BBC2 at 9pm tonight.
Anita – cast in a Bollywood film for the documentary – said: “It’s a house party scene and I instantly knew it might involve hot pants. Every Bollywood house party I have seen, they have got them in hot pants. I had come prepared. I had them in my bag.
“I mean, dancing on the rooftop was absolutely, I think, a personal career highlight.”
No doubt that Strictly 2015 stint must have come in handy.
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KEANU’S bruised eye raises concerns in EastEnders when the Taylors spot the injury, and a remark by Keegan about Keanu’s dad leads Karen to consider whether it’s time to tell him the truth.
Later, Hayley tries to comfort Keanu when the gang return and wind him up again. Meanwhile, Rainie takes matters into her own hands when she finds out Max has joined a no-strings dating site.
In Coronation Street the Speed Daal family day comes to an abrupt halt when Sally is arrested for fraud.Adam can’t represent her as Imran is representing Duncan. The police interview her and she pleads her innocence.
Sean is shocked to find Johnny and Jenny have taken over The Rovers and cut his hours.