Life

Marie Louise McConville: Great British Bake-Off? More like Great British Turn-Off

This year's series of The Great British Bake-off has so far fallen flat
This year's series of The Great British Bake-off has so far fallen flat This year's series of The Great British Bake-off has so far fallen flat

I'm not quite sure where it all went wrong.

As usual, it started off so sweet and sugary but now The Great British Bake-off has lost its tasty appeal and become The Great British Turn-Off.

I had been all hyped up for the new series after a flow of great musical adverts.

I had informed the family that on Tuesday nights at 8pm, the telly in the kitchen is mine.

When the move from the BBC to Channel 4 was first announced, I had been sceptical that it would work, but it did, mainly thanks to its new presenters, the very funny Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.

The pair are just so good together.

However, even their hilarious skits and quick one-liners can't save this series.

I tuned in as planned for the first few weeks but almost immediately felt it was lacking something.

The thing is, I can't really blame it on Paul Hollywood because if truth be told, I have never been a fan and pretty much just ignore him when he is on the screen.

I like Prue and have found her ok this series, but nothing special.

And while biscuit week and bread week were fine, dairy week was just the final nail in the GBBO coffin for me.

It was just such boring television.

The technical was boring, the show-stopper was boring and while it is unfortunate to say, the contestants were boring.

Normally at this point I am rooting for a specific, brilliant baker to win, but I'm not because I have not connected with any of them or their stories or their bakes.

I have to admit, I barely watched it this week.

While it was on in the kitchen, I hardly glanced at it - instead doing the ironing - and turned it down when it began to bore me, yet again.

I have yet to be really overly impressed with any of the bakes and for me, it's all about the show-stopper.

I mean, what's GBBO without the show-stopper?

I'm just finding this year's line-up a little flat, just like a pancake.

It's time for change in my opinion.

After all, what do you expect when you add too much cringe, not enough drama, too many spoonfuls of sexual innuendo and a big helping of boring bakers. It is not a great recipe.

I'm sorry GBBO, maybe it's time to hang up the apron.

--------------------------------------

Seriously, what is up with some people?

While the majority of us were excited for the return of Strictly Come Dancing last Saturday, the glitz was overshadowed by the news that show bosses had to hire a team of ex-army security guards to protect the stars during the first live show.

Security was increased after some of the celebrities received sinister letters including death threats.

Contestants have also now been banned from posting photos in training in case they give an insight to their location, and code names are being used for them backstage.

There's always someone who spoils it for others.

#justbekind

---------------------------------

Competition

This week readers have the chance to win tickets to Thin Lizzy’s 50th Anniversary Tour with Eric Bell.

The original guitarist with Thin Lizzy, Eric Bell is now on tour to celebrate the band’s five decade anniversary.

The hotly anticipated gigs in Northern Ireland take place in The Black Box, Belfast on October 10 and and The Townhouse in Castlederg on October 12.

The guitarist, who toured the world with Thin Lizzy's guitarist Phil Lynott and their drummer Brian Downey, said he is looking forward to taking to the stage to play the band’s iconic tracks with his three piece band.

"We've been touring the UK in Scotland, but we can't wait to rock our Irish gigs," he said.

"Today I still have as much passion for the guitar as I ever had. It's my purpose in life".

I have three pairs of tickets to see Eric Bell and his band at the Black Box in Belfast on October 10 to give away.

If you fancy winning a pair of tickets, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, October 1, 2019

(Q) At which Belfast venue is Eric Bell due to play on October 10?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

--------------------------------------------------

The winners of The Kitchen competition are Imelda Camplisson, from Belfast, Clare Ward, from Belfast, and Willie Gribben, from Banbridge.