Great British Bake Off embroiled in ‘fix’ row as fans accuse contestant Tasha of ‘faking an illness’ to stay on the show

The Great British Bake Off has become embroiled in a fresh fix row after fans accused contestant Tasha of ‘faking an illness’ to stay on the show.

During Wednesday’s episode, Tasha fell in the overheated tent and had to leave midway through the ‘Chocolate Week’ episode.

The baker, 27, is the Channel 4 programme’s first-ever deaf contestant and appears on the show alongside her BSL interpreter, Daryl.

After a disappointing result in the tricky signature challenge, viewers noticed that Tasha was looking ‘pale’ during the technical bake to whip up a chocolate torte without wheat flour.

An ill-looking Tasha told the crew: ‘It’s quite hot, I need some air,’ before being rushed outside. 

Tense: The Great British Bake Off has become embroiled in a fresh fix row after fans accused contestant Tasha of ‘faking an illness’ to stay on the show

The tearful contestant was comforted by new host Alison Hammond as the show’s schedule was thrown into chaos. 

Tasha was filmed outside in discussion with the camera crew as she revealed she’d suffered a migraine the night before and the decision was made for her to go home.

After Matty landed the Star Baker prize for his chocolate box showstopper, judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith announced they had decided to suspend eliminations – but that two bakers would go home the following week instead.

Fans were cynical about her early exit, particularly after her first offering had been less than perfect.

One Twitter user said: ‘I’d be ill too if I messed up my first bake and then my second one.’ 

Another said: ‘Not happy Tasha gets to stay on… free pass to next week. NOT FAIR’

A third added: ‘It’s not fair that Tasha gets to just skip this week and go directly into next week. And coincidentally it’s the week she wasn’t doing well…’

Struggle: The tearful contestant was comforted by new host Alison Hammond as the show’s schedule was thrown into chaos

Fix: Fans were cynical about her early exit, particularly after her first offering had been less than perfect

The Great British Bake Off was thrown into chaos on Wednesday evening after Tasha fell in the overheated tent and had to leave midway through the ‘Chocolate Week’ episode.

The baker, 27, is the Channel 4 programme’s first-ever deaf contestant and appears on the show alongside her BSL interpreter, Daryl.

After a disappointing result in the tricky signature challenge, viewers noticed that Tasha was looking ‘pale’ during the technical bake to whip up a chocolate torte without wheat flour.

An ill-looking Tasha told the crew: ‘It’s quite hot, I need some air,’ before being rushed outside.

The tearful contestant was comforted by new host Alison Hammond as the show’s schedule was thrown into chaos.

Tasha was filmed outside in discussion with the camera crew as she revealed she’d suffered a migraine the night before and the decision was made for her to go home.

After Matty landed the Star Baker prize for his chocolate box showstopper, judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith announced they had decided to suspend eliminations – but that two bakers would go home the following week instead.

The baker, 27, is the Channel 4 programme’s first-ever deaf contestant and appears on the show alongside her BSL interpreter, Daryl

Reaction: Bake Off fans were quick to slam the producers for putting on chocolate week in the middle of the heatwave

Other fans showed their support for Tasha and slammed Bake Off producers for putting on chocolate week in the middle of the heatwave.

One said: ‘Do they choose chocolate week on the hottest day of the year every year on purpose or what?’

Another said: ‘Nah man but they really set them up with the chocolate weeks being on a heatwave day???’

A third added: ‘Why do they never learn.’

Viewers were quick to express sympathy for Tasha and her disappointment at having to leave halfway through the challenge.

‘Poor Tasha,’ commented one, while another said: ‘Poor Tasha, you can tell how gutted she feels that she’s not able to complete the challenge.’

GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2023: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?

Tasha 

Age: 27

Occupation: Participation officer

From: Bristol

Bake Off presenters have learnt sign language as the show welcomes its first ever deaf contestant. 

Tasha, 27, is a participation officer from Bristol and will be joining the show with her BSL interpreter, Daryl. 

She said: ‘When I had the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the 12, I cried. Daryl also cried. We were a mess.’ 

Amos 

Age: 43 

Occupation: Deli and grocery manager

From: North London

Amos describes his bakes as a labour of love – his style is colourful and chic with keen attention to detail, and he loves exploring different flavour profiles. 

He compares his baking style to the converted church that he now lives in, calling both his style and home ‘traditional with a modern twist’.

Rowan 

Age: 21

Occupation: University student 

From: West Yorkshire

‘Go big, or go home’ is student Rowan’s motto, and one that he has always applied to his bakes. 

A student of English literature, when he’s not writing up a storm, Rowan is also a keen host, applying his creative eye to his cooking. 

Abbi 

Age: 27

Occupation: Vegetable grower and delivery driver

From: Cumbria

A lover of the great outdoors, she forages for seasonal ingredients and puts her homegrown veg to good use. 

Abbi’s bakes aim to combine comfort and familiarity with a strong nod towards nature, and a feeling of creating something magical – bakes with a touch of fairytale.

Cristy 

Age: 33

Occupation: PA

From: East London

For Cristy, life with four children means that there always seems to be a birthday to bake for and an exciting party to plan. 

She describes her baking style as enchanted and pretty – bakes that conjure up a sense of childhood. 

Dan 

Age: 42

Occupation: Civil engineering resource planner

From: Cheshire

Perfectionist Dan loves a baking challenge and will often find the hardest bake in one of his 300 cook books. 

When he’s not baking, he loves to play football with his two young sons or forage for edible treats in the countryside. 

Dana 

Age: 25

Occupation: Database administrator

From: Essex

She loves a semi-naked cake with neat lines, pretty piping and minimalist decoration; and although she likes to keep her flavours safe, Dana will often incorporate a twist or two, adding in familiar spices associated with her Indian heritage. 

Josh

Age: 27

Occupation: Post-doctoral research associate

From: Leicestershire

Post-doctoral research associate Josh is a chemist by trade and brings his scientist’s precision and keenness to experiment into the kitchen, taking careful notes on each part of the baking process. 

Keith 

Age: 60

Occupation: Chartered accountant

From: Hampshire

Keith has a penchant for apple pies and fairy cakes – which he learned to bake with his mum.

The treats form the baking backdrop to Keith’s childhood, along with his mum’s love for traditional dishes from her home in Malta. 

Matty 

Age: 28

Occupation: PE and science teacher

From: Cambridgeshire

He describes his style as rustic but neat, and his flavour preferences as quite traditional – he particularly loves chocolate, citrus and nuts. 

Once his days in the tent are over, his nex challenge will be to make his own wedding cake.

Nicky 

Age: 52

Occupation: Retired cabin crew and volunteer

From: West Midlands

Her favourite bakes are pastries, but she also loves making  fun birthday cakes for her niece and grandchildren. 

When she’s not baking, Nicky volunteers for a pet-therapy charity along with her dog Bracken and loves to ski, which she has been doing since she was only three years old.

Saku 

Age: 50

Occupation: Intelligence analyst

From: Herefordshire

At her family home in Sri Lanka, Saku didn’t have an oven until she was 18, so she turned to baking only when she moved with her husband to the UK, in 2003. 

Self-taught, she relishes using her homegrown ingredients from her vegetable patch. 

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