‘What a twist!’ fume Great British Bake Off fans as they slam major format change

GREAT British Bake Off fans have been left fuming as they spotted a major format change.

The hit baking competition series returned to Channel 4 last night as a new batch of bakers entered the tent.

Channel 4

Bake Off viewers have been left seething over a format shake-up[/caption]

Channel 4

Noel and Alison revealed the first technical challenge of the series – but the bakers had to recreate a Battenburg without a recipe[/caption]

Channel 4

The contestants were left stunned as they had just over two hours to recreate the cake for the judges[/caption]

Returning after her debut series is Alison Hammond, alongside Noel Fielding.

Fan-favourites Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood were also back to judge the newbies’ creations.

During the show the first technical GBBO challenge got underway – albeit with a twist.

Noel and Alison told the bakers: “In a change from the norm, this is a taste and bake challenge.

“Under your gingham cloth is the perfect mini Battenburg.

“You’ll have five minutes to inspect your Battenburg, then you’ll have to recreate that with no recipe.”

The news sent shock waves through the tent, before the contestants got to work with just two hours and 15 minutes on the clock.

Reacting on social media to the twist, one fan blasted: “OK. let’s not even give them a recipe this time for the technical.”

A second wrote: “No recipe ‘taste and bake’ week 1 technical challenge. Ok, they’ve made it worse.”

“Well that’s a cruel week 1 technical challenge,” said a third.

While a fourth commented: “Calling Ofcom and the Exam Board because the rules of the Bake off technical challenge have changed.”

Paul and Prue asked for the bakers to create a light sponge, sandwiched in a silky buttercream and coated with apricot jam.