Bake Off The Professionals viewers divided as Stacey Solomon replaces Tom Allen in series debut

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Bake Off: The Professionals returned to screens on Tuesday night and there was quite a big change. While Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden were back as judges and Liam Charles returned as host, his usual presenting partner Tom Allen was nowhere to be seen.

That's because the comedian decided to leave the show and has been replaced by Stacey Solomon on the Channel 4 show, which is a spin-off of the much-loved Great British Bake Off featuring industry chefs instead of amateur bakers.

The Loose Women panellist and Sort Your Life Out host didn't miss out on an opportunity to reference the change as she appeared alongside Liam in one of Tom's dapper suits.

Her new co-host told her she didn't have to be just like Tom which was a relief to Stacey who joked she was glad she found out before she shaved her head. READ MORE: Stacey Solomon unrecognisable as she throws epic dinosaur-themed party for son's third birthday Tom Allen announced his departure from Bake Off: The Professionals in February, saying it was “time to move on”.