Wednesday 14 September 2022 02:14 AM ROLAND WHITE: We can always rely on Bake Off for stale skits and soggy bottoms trends now
Rating: 
The Pyrenees, with Michael Portillo
Rating:
Well done, Channel 4, for broadcasting The Great British Bake Off as scheduled last night.
At a time of great national change and uncertainty, wasn't it comforting to watch a dozen people baking sponge cakes? Even if some ingredients of this much-loved show are starting to look a bit stale.
The new series began with a sketch about Star Wars in which Matt Lucas played 'Luke Piewalker' and Noel Fielding was 'Princess Layer Cake'. Never mind dad jokes, these were great-grandad jokes.
Then there's the shtick that Paul Hollywood is the show's tough guy, the Phil Mitchell of patisserie.
At a time of great national change and uncertainty, wasn't it comforting to watch a dozen people baking sponge cakes? Even if some ingredients of this much-loved show are starting to look a bit stale
This hard-man image was mentioned more than once as he prowled around the tent. Actually, Paul is as soft as a choux bun. He doesn't pull his punches as a judge, but he also offers sympathetic words of encouragement.
Prue Leith can be just as critical, in fact, but it's hard to act tough when you're wearing shocking pink spectacles.
So what about the really important people, the bakers?
Polish-born Janusz, 34, was named Star Baker. Asked to produce a cake in the shape of a house for the showstopper round, he baked a stunning and colourful replica of his mother's flat in Poland. But is he just a little too pleased with himself?
Malaysian Syabira, 32, a smiley scientist, should also go
