'I was a Bake Off finalist and the show has lost its sparkle - it's trying to be clever'

The Great British Bake Off finalist Jane Beedle believes the beloved cooking programme isn't what it was a few years ago. The professional garden designer appeared on Bake Off in 2016 and finished joint runner-up with Andrew Smyth behind the winner, Candice Brown. Reflecting on her time on the show, Jane said she feels the show has lost some of its charm by trying to be too clever, believing the more difficult baking challenges have put off some viewers.

Speaking with Betway, she said: "I think it tried to become a bit clever a few years back. It was asking contestants to attempt these hugely technical bakes, and that lost the connection with the audience. I can see they've gone back to the show we know and love. But it's been on our screens for 15 years. That's a long time to be watching a show. I do think it's lost a bit of the sparkle, and I'm grateful I was on the show during its glory days."

Jane added: "I used to get stopped everywhere, and fans were so wonderful."

Despite believing the show isn't what it used to be, she heaped praise on hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, branding them "magical together".

Bake Off returned to screens with a new series on Tuesday (September 2), welcoming a new batch of bakers who hoped to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

The first week kicked off with Cake Week, featuring intricate challenges like fondant fancies and Swiss rolls. For the showstopper, the bakers were tasked with creating an illusion cake designed to look like a realistic everyday object.

As always, one contestant was named Star Baker, while another was sent home. Unfortunately for Hassan, his bakes didn't win over the judges, marking the end of his journey.

While some fans were gutted about Hassan's exit, others were more distracted by the show's "ridiculous" intro. The show kicked off with a Jurassic Park-inspired comedy sketch, dubbed Jurassic Bake.

Noel quipped: "Why is Prue dressed as Colonel Sanders?" to which Prue responded: "I have finally achieved my lifetime ambition of cloning a dinosaur with human DNA..."

The ground shook dramatically as Prue declared: "Oh no! He's escaped. TyrannoPaulrus Rex." The sketch ends with Noel being humorously "eaten" by the dinosaur as Paul turned up ready to do the sketch.

Many were less than impressed by the opening, with one raging: "#GBBO oh what is this? Kiddies hour? Enough with the ridiculous sketches already."

Another said: "Lost ten years of my life to that #gbbo sketch."