Great British Bake Off to scrap national weeks after criticism

The Great British Bake Off is scrapping its national-themed challenges aft receiving disapproval from immoderate viewers successful caller years.

The amusement had a Japan week successful 2020, a German week successful 2021, and faced a backlash aft Mexican week past year.

Executive shaper Kieran Smith told the Guardian: "We didn't privation to offend anyone but the satellite has changed and the gag fell flat.

"We're not doing immoderate nationalist themes this year."

The Great British Bake Off volition instrumentality to Channel 4 aboriginal this period for its 13th series.

The amusement volition beryllium "very traditional" this time, Smith said. "We're doing each the regular weeks: Cakes, biscuits, bread, patisserie, chocolate, positive enactment cakes is simply a caller theme."

After Mexican week, determination were accusations of casual racism and stereotypes due to the fact that the hosts wore sombreros, utilized maracas and spoke successful Spanish accents. There were besides complaints that it featured dishes that weren't authentic.

After the occurrence aired, Hollywood said helium was "gutted" with the reaction.

"I'd virtually travel backmost from Mexico astir 3 weeks earlier we filmed the episode," helium said.

"I was each implicit the place, and we acceptable the challenges based connected what I'd seen there. The challenges were precise good, and everyone did a bully job."

Leith said they had nary intentions to beryllium controversial, adding: "The happening astir Bake Off is that it perfectly represents inclusivity and diverseness and tolerance and togetherness. So the thought that we were acceptable retired to insult anybody is ridiculous."