Great British Bake Off faces huge change following show backlash ahead of return

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Great British Bake Off will soon return to screens with TV favourite Alison Hammond stepping into hosting duties alongside comedian Noel Fielding for the popular Channel 4 show as more faces enter the tent to impress the judges.But ahead of its debut, it has been reported there will be a big change to the show, as producers have taken the decision to axe a long-running 'theme' which has been part of the programme over several series due to the controversy it sparked among viewers.It has been revealed there will no longer be national-themed weeks after the show came under fire from Channel 4 viewers who accused bosses of cultural appropriation.

Mexican week was part of the programme last year which saw hosts Noel Fielding and former co-star Matt Lucas sporting ponchos and sombreros whilst holding up maracas and making puns as they quipped they couldn't make a "Juan" joke about Mexico.Noel said: "I don't feel like we should make Mexican jokes, because people will get upset," when Matt asked: "Not even Juan?"It left many people unhappy with the segment, which it seems producers have taken on board for the upcoming series as it has now been scrapped. "I hold my hands up to the cooking complaint and the theme weeks," Executive producer Kieran Smith said during in an interview with The Guardian. "We didn't want to offend anyone but the world has changed and the joke fell flat.

We're not doing any national themes this year."We're going very traditional. We're doing all the regular weeks: Cakes, Biscuits, Bread, Patisserie, Chocolate, plus Party Cakes is a new theme.

No spoilers, but it features challenges I think viewers will love." The Celtic Story opening gala performance welcomes Scots football legends Paul Hollywood,