Bake Off bosses at Channel 4 have been urged to make a major change to its format after baker Tasha was taken ill.
Tasha and her fellow amateur bakers were tackling Chocolate Week in the tent but as if the tricky culinary challenges weren't enough, complaints began to arise about how hot the temperature was inside the tent.
27-year-old Tasha, who is the Channel 4 show's first-ever deaf contestant and is accompanied by BSL interpreter, Daryl, appeared to feel the heat in the latest episode more than anyone.
Tasha had managed to make it through the signature challenge for the week, albeit with a bit of difficulty as she fell short of Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith's expectations.
But she began to get flustered as the challenges continued, with her telling the Channel 4 crew: "It's quite hot, I need some air."
Tasha was rushed outside the tent where medical staff tended to her as she admitted to having a migraine the night before and her health woes were only exacerbated by the heat inside the tent.
Tasha falls ill in the Bake Off tent
CHANNEL 4
The Bake Off star was advised to go home and sit out the rest of Chocolate Week, meaning she'll return during next week's show.
However, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond will now have to announce the elimination of two bakers next week as all of the contestants kept their spots in the tent following Tasha's withdrawal.
The Great British Bake Off X account took to social media to address Tasha's withdrawal and stand by the show's decision.
"Health first. Always," it penned. "We can confirm that Tasha has had to withdraw from Chocolate Week on Bake Off for medical reasons and will return in next week’s show.
"We can’t wait to see her back in the Tent and feeling much better. #GBBO," the tweet read followed by a love heart emoji.
While several Bake Off fans were quick to wish Tasha a speedy recovery, others aimed their frustrations at Channel 4 for the way the show is formatted.
The show has already made a number of changes this series, with Alison Hammond joining as a presenter to the controversial decision to ditch national-themed weeks.
"The only thing I think is a fix is that Chocolate Week is always the hottest day of the year," one fan fumed in response. "Considering how little hot weather we had this year, it does seem like the producers look at the forecast and save chocolate week or the final for the hottest week."
A second called for change: "They do film in extremely hot conditions - perhaps a bit of a rethink should be on the cards."
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Health first. Always.
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 18, 2023
We can confirm that Tasha has had to withdraw from Chocolate Week on Bake Off for medical reasons and will return in next week’s show. We can’t wait to see her back in the Tent and feeling much better. ❤️ #GBBO pic.twitter.com/lkvW9o3jeb
And a third echoed: "After years of heat in the tent maybe the daft producers could invest in aircon?"
Meanwhile, a fourth shared their well wishes: "Bless her sweet heart - she’ll be missed on tonight’s show. Hope she feels better soon."
And a fifth hit back at the criticism Tasha faced as she has progressed to the next week without fulfilling all of the challenges' requirements.
They argued: "I think those people being overly critical of Tasha getting a migraine and feeling dizzy need to remember that she has a hot Metal device on the side of her head helping her to hear #GBBO She is not using excuses.
"She is deaf and her head is overstimulated and overheated," they added before another pointed out: "No matter what, people will complain about the result this week.
"If Tasha goes home because she's a challenge down, it'll be unfair. If she stays, it'll be unfair to everyone who completed everything. No win scenario. #GBBO." (sic)
