The ‘Great British Bake Off’ is set to go "back to basics" to make it easier for viewers to join in.
Paul Hollwood has admitted some of the challenges in recent series have been too "complicated" for people watching at home, and insisted the Channel 4 show wants to "encourage" people to bake.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "This year we have gone back to basics on a couple of challenges because we were getting a bit over-complicated.
"Sometimes it’s not just about the bakers in the tent, it’s about the people in the UK who watch the programme. We want to encourage the viewers to bake."
His comments about the state of ‘Bake Off’ come after his former co-star Mary Berry – who left the baking contest two years ago following its move from the BBC – aimed a similar criticism at her former home.
The 83-year-old star fronted rival show ‘Britain’s Best Home Cook’ last month, and previously explained how it has put a focus on "teaching" viewers how to create meals themselves.
She said: "’Bake Off’ has got quite complicated. It’s become very intricate.
"Ours is very much a teaching programme. Everything we do is achievable by people at home."
The idea of ‘Bake Off’ keeping things simpler comes after reports claiming Channel 4 are in "secret talks" to renew the show – despite being just one year into a three year deal.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: "The ink on Channel 4’s ‘Bake Off’ deal has barely dried, but they’re not taking any chances of losing it like the BBC did. After airing just one of the three series agreed in 2016 — which gave them some of their best ratings ever — securing its future has been a top priority
"By comparison, the BBC were still negotiating with Love while the third and final series of their last ‘Bake Off’ deal was on TV.
"Channel 4 had to fight off ITV and Netflix to land the show. They would be salivating at the thought of ‘Bake Off’ being back up for grabs. Channel 4’s commitment has impressed Love, whose uninflated price tag will help get the deal done quicker."
Great British Bake Off is going ‘back to basics’
