Great British Bake Off viewing figures DROP

Great British Bake Off viewing figures DROP compared to last year’s launch show as Alison Hammond takes over from Matt Lucas as co-host

The Great British Bake Off suffered a ratings lump compared to last year’s launch as its first show of 2023 aired on Channel 4 on Tuesday evening.

This series, Alison Hammond, 48, took over from Matt Lucas as Noel Fielding’s co-host and proved a hit with viewers who tuned in to watch.

However the ratings didn’t quite reflect the excitement over Alison’s debut, as overnight figures reveal an average of 4.3million tuned in.

This is a substantial 100,000 less viewers than last year’s figures, which had dropped 1.3million on the year before when it aired.

This year, figures peaked at 4.9million, which was a 300,000 drop in viewers from 2022. It held an overall audience shared of 28.65 per cent. 

Oh no! The Great British Bake Off suffered a ratings lump compared to last year’s launch as its first show of 2023 aired on Channel 4 on Tuesday evening 

Moved on: This series, Alison Hammond, 48, took over from Matt Lucas as Noel Fielding’s co-host and proved a hit with viewers who tuned in to watch

Bake Off’s ratings were also a stark drop on its 2020 launch, when 6.9 million tuned in while the UK was in the midst of the Covid lockdown.

Despite the slight drop in viewership, viewers went wild for Alison’s debut as co-host of The Great British Bake Off on Saturday – and her new gig has gone down a treat with fans.

Viewers of the Channel 4 series have said it was a ‘stroke of genius’ hiring the bubbly presenter for the show where she took over from former host Matt Lucas.

The Birmingham native looked right at home alongside veteran presenter Noel Fieling as she greeted the contestants and narrated their baking.

Alison appeared in a sketch at the beginning of the episode called ‘The Breadfather’  where she was presented as a ‘new addition to the family’.

Approaching ‘Breadfather’ Paul Hollywood, Alison kissed a giant loaf of bread on the judge’s desk.

He then said: ‘It’s Day One of Series 14, why has it taken so long to come and see me?’

Alison replied: ‘I don’t mean to brag Breadfather but I’ve been very busy. Daytime TV, hosting the BAFTAs and I was in a Stormzy video.’

Out and about! Matt was pictured at Global Studios on Wednesday following the first episode without him

Natural: Viewers of the Channel 4 series have said it was a ‘stroke of genius’ hiring the bubbly presenter for the show (pictured with Noel Fielding)

Sketch: Alison appeared in a sketch at the beginning of the episode called ‘The Breadfather’ where she was presented as a ‘new addition to the family’

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer said: ‘Stroke of genius bringing Alison Hammond on, she’s perfect for Bake Off’.

Another wrote: ‘Loving Alison Hammond in the tent. Perfect new host,’ while a third added: ‘Alison Hammond is a great addition to #GBBO.’

A fourth penned: ‘This year’s #GBBO cohort look to be fairly evenly matched, it’ll be interesting to see who inches out in front in the next few weeks!

‘Alison Hammond is such a welcome addition and her enjoyment is infection.’

A fifth wrote: ‘Loving it, so far so good xx’. 

It comes after Alison discussed making her Bake Off debut during an appearance on This Morning earlier on Tuesday.

Reaction: Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer said: ‘Stroke of genius bringing Alison Hammond on, she’s perfect for Bake Off’

Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard, she said: ‘Obviously, I’ve been in the tent before, I’ve been on the baker side so I know what is like to be that nervous.

‘But I’m gonna be honest, I have never been that nervous since I hosted first with Dermot O’Leary on the main show.

‘If you think of the bigger pictures, you think this is a global show, I don’t want to ruin this. And I could you know, I’m a little bit risky!’

Alison explained she was adamant that she kept Bake Off the same and that she was worried about upstaging the other stars with her iconic laugh.

She said: ‘I was really respectful of the brand. I just wanted it to be Bake Off – what it it was. 

‘I didn’t want it upstage anyone but I couldn’t help the laugh. The laugh always comes out.’

She went on: ‘It is a massive responsibility. I feel so blessed and so privileged to be given that role, I’m pinching myself now.

‘When it was first released I didn’t realise how big it was, people I’ve never met before were saying well done Alison! 

Butterflies: Alison confessed her nerves about hosting The Great British Bake Off ahead of her debut episode

New role: The TV personality appeared on This Morning on Tuesday where she expressed her excitement about teaming up with Noel Fielding to host the show this year

‘Everyone loves Bake Off, it’s non offensive, it’s wholesome, it’s so good. It’s a lovely show.’

Speaking about the judges, Prue Leith, 83, and Paul Hollywood, 57, Alison said: ‘Prue was over the moon there was another female. She is so lovely, so warm. 

‘Every single person in front and behind the camera was so warm and giving and wanted me to do well and teaching me the ropes.

‘Paul knows everything, he’s the first one on set. He knows that show inside and out. He likes his cars, and he has a Lamborghini. He gave me a lift to my hotel.

‘I got in the car and it’s the first time I drove with him and the last time. He got me there safely, but it was scary.’

Ben asked Alison if she was able to try any of the delicious treats the 12 talented bakers made after judging.

She joked: ‘I had a ladle in my bra ready!’ before adding: ‘The weirdest thing is when you hear the judges say this is not that good and I go over and taste it and it’s lovely. You’ve got to remember these are the best amateur bakers in the country.’

She did confess that the show wasn’t without its sad moments, admitting that she had shed a few tears after having to say goodbye to a baker every week. 

Alison explained: ‘You get invested with the bakers. You’ve got to learn 12 different names, but you get to know everybody and you get invested. 

‘And when they go, it’s heart-wrenching. There might have been some tears on my half, I was like pull yourself together Alison! It’s an emot

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