Great British Bake Off makes a HUGE change ahead of the new series after being hit by backlash from fans
Great British Bake Off bosses have made a major change ahead of the new series after backlash from fans.
Following a large number of complaints from viewers who branded the Channel 4 show 'tacky' and accused it of using 'racial stereotypes', bosses have decided to scrap national-themed weeks and go back to basics with its themes.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian ahead of the 13th series, Executive producer Kieran Smith admitted the show did wrong and explained the changes that viewers can expect.
Reflecting on the episode he said: 'I hold my hands up to the cooking complaint and the theme weeks. 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.'
![Major change: The Great British Bake Off is scraping national themed week after receiving backlash from a number of viewers who branded the Channel 4 show ‘tacky’](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/01/21/74973125-12471621-Following_a_large_number_of_complaints_from_viewers_who_branded_-m-32_1693598597501.jpg)
Major change: The Great British Bake Off is scraping national themed week after receiving backlash from a number of viewers who branded the Channel 4 show 'tacky'
![Distasteful: Last year during Mexican week, hosts Noel Fielding (pictured left) and Matt Lucas (pictured right) wore sombreros and sarapes - while cracking jokes and shaking maracas](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/01/20/74973115-12471621-image-a-28_1693597855170.jpg)
Distasteful: Last year during Mexican week, hosts Noel Fielding (pictured left) and Matt Lucas (pictured right) wore sombreros and sarapes - while cracking jokes and shaking maracas
The cooking series was accused of cultural appropriation and racism by some viewers after last year's Mexican Week aired.
The episode saw hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding wear sombreros and sarapes - while cracking jokes and shaking maracas.
Noel said: 'I don't feel like we should make Mexican jokes, because people will get upset,' with Matt responding: 'Not even Juan?'
Viewers flocked to the internet to express their upset and disappointment.
'This is positively shameful' one commented. 'This sucks' said another.
While a third wrote 'Highly racist and inappropriate'.
Backlash had also been received for previous show's – 202's 'Japan Week' 2020, and 2021's 'German Week'.
In an interview with Eater, Paul and Prue were asked about the Mexican episode with Paul admitting he was 'gutted' about upsetting people and he 'loves' Mexico.
![Not impressed: Viewers flocked to the internet to express their upset and disappointment stating the jokes ‘positively shameful’, ‘highly racist and inappropriate’](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/01/21/74973475-12471621-image-a-33_1693598893277.jpg)
Not impressed: Viewers flocked to the internet to express their upset and disappointment stating the jokes 'positively shameful', 'highly racist and inappropriate'
![Apology: In an interview , Paul and Prue were asked about the Mexican episode with Paul admitting he was ‘gutted’ about upsetting people and stating that he ‘loves’ Mexico](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/01/21/74973123-12471621-Apology_In_an_interview_Paul_and_Prue_were_asked_about_the_Mexic-a-26_1693600412754.jpg)
Apology: In an interview , Paul and Prue were asked about the Mexican episode with Paul admitting he was 'gutted' about upsetting people and stating that he 'loves' Mexico
![New look: Alison Hammond (pictured far right) will present the show alongside Noel Fielding this year with the series Executive producer stating she's given the show 'a real lift'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/01/21/74973693-12471621-New_look_Alison_Hammond_pictured_far_right_will_present_the_show-a-13_1693600222945.jpg)
New look: Alison Hammond (pictured far right) will present the show alongside Noel Fielding this year with the series Executive producer stating she's given the show 'a real lift'
He said: 'I'd literally come back from Mexico about three weeks before we filmed the episode. I spent a month over there with Mexican chefs, working with tacos and enjoying the food in Tijuana and Mexico City and Oaxaca and Cancun.
'I was all over the place, and we set the challenges based on what I'd seen there, the challenges were very good, and everyone did a good job. I was gutted. I mean, I was really upset about it.'
Prue added: 'We never go out to be controversial. We try to be dead honest. It was quite unfortunate that quite a few people took offence, but we certainly didn't mean it. As Paul says, the thing about Bake Off is that it absolutely represents inclusivity and diversity and tolerance and togetherness.
'I don't want to sound sentimental, but the fact is that the vibe of Bake Off is entirely cooperative and encouraging. So the idea that we were set out to insult anybody is ridiculous.'
The back to basics baking isn't the only change for this years show.
Alison Hammond will replace Matt Lucas and present the show alongside Noel Fielding.
After last year recorded its lowest ever viewing figures, Kieran said the new-look show is 'warmer, kinder and sillier' and heaped praise on Alison for giving it 'a real lift'.
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