Review

by Jane Rackham

Jeremy Paxman’s natural habitat is definitely not the kitchen. “I’d rather interview some clown like Vladimir Putin,” he mutters when attempting to make 18 biscuits in the shape of his dog Derek. And his low-level grumbling continues throughout all the challenges.



Meanwhile, at another work station, Joe Wilkinson is creating mint gherkin-shaped biscuits, the prospect of which gets Paul Hollywood searching for the nearest hospital.

This week’s quartet of celebs are not brilliant at baking, not that this really matters in this context. They’re exceptionally messy, though: cake mixture is splattered all over the tent, piping bags explode, the floor is spattered with heaven knows what and the air is filled with clouds of icing sugar (and expletives).



The big surprise comes in the showstopper round because Paul and Prue Leith declare that all their cakes are delicious, even if a few of them have hysterically weird decorations (Georgia Toffolo, we’re looking at you).

