Bake Off viewers criticise 'gimmicky' new format as contestants are joined by relatives and can make anything they want in show first - as Shannon is the second baker to be sent home

Published: 21:32 BST, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 22:28 BST, 6 October 2026

The Great British Bake Off viewers were less than impressed by a first-time format change during Tuesday's episode as producers introduced an 'audience week', where viewers at home could pick each challenge.

It proved to be a winning format for Clara, who was named star baker, but it was curtains for Shannon who became the second person to be sent home this series.

The episode saw the baker's relatives join them in the tent to help them create an 'exquisite cheesecake' in the signature challenge, before they were given free rein to create whatever they could remember from memory in the technical.

In another first, this meant that each baker could create something totally different to the rest of the contestants – as fans queried how they would compare each bake.

Many critiqued the new theme as 'gimmicky' and said it was 'chaotic' to have so many people in the baking tent at once.

But the signature challenge worked out well for Moyin, who was joined by his mother, as he received the first Hollywood handshake of the series for his cheesecake.

It proved to be a winning format for Clara, who was named star baker, but it was curtains for Shannon (pictured) who became the second person to be sent home

The episode saw the baker's relatives join them in the tent to help them create a basque cheesecake in the signature challenge, before they were given free rein to create whatever they could remember from memory in the technical

Paul and Nigella were impressed by Clara's handbag, but Shannon's colourful biscuit showstopper wasn't ambitious enough to save her after a difficult week

Taking to X to change their thoughts on the altered format, viewers suggested that people who don't watch the show must have come up with the new ideas.

They said: 'This should be a technical closer to the final'; 'What are all these people doing in the tent? Too much chatter and I completely lost track of the bake. Dreadful idea!'; 'GBBO has been a classic staple for 16 years and now they're changing the premise, FOR WHAT? Mary Berry would be p****d';

'I'm sure all the ideas for audience week were sent in by people who don't watch GBBO'; 'Catching up with GBBO and WTF is this rubbish with the relatives'; 

'Wasn't sure about audience choice as the British public cannot be trusted with anything, but this is a breath of fresh air and this should come back'.

Many commented on the way the technical, saying: 'How in the baking blazes can you judge a technical challenge when everyone's baking something different? I'm not convinced audience choice is GBBO's best idea';

'What is the point in a technical where everyone is making something different?  The whole point is that they all make the *same* thing to show their technical ability? If they're all different how do you rate them!'

'This challenge is weird... kinda hard to judge!'

The showstopper challenge saw the contestants offer up a 'wearable bake', as they created hats, bags and even a Dolly Parton-inspired wig

Taking to X to change their thoughts on the altered format, viewers suggested that people who don't watch the show must have come up with the new ideas

Not everyone hated the new format - some viewers praised the twist

The signature challenge worked out well for Moyin, who was joined by his mother, as he received the first Hollywood handshake of the series for his cheesecake

The showstopper challenge saw the contestants offer up a 'wearable bake', as they created hats, bags and even a Dolly Parton-inspired wig.

Paul and Nigella were impressed by Clara's handbag, but Shannon's colourful biscuit showstopper wasn't ambitious enough to save her after a difficult week. 

As the contestants gather for the results, Paul and Nigella explained that they have to judge the bakers on the whole week rather than just one challenge. 

Shannon's final bake - her biscuit 'Fairy Wings of the Painted Brook' - is the decisive problem. Paul felt it was over baked and, crucially, not ambitious enough for a showstopper. 

Nigella agreed that although it was charming, a few biscuits with royal icing didn't quite meet the brief of a showstopper.