Great British Bake Off fans turning their backs on the show after divisive new twist

The Great British Bake Off has never been afraid of tinkering with its tried-and-tested formula, but its latest experiment has left some loyal viewers wondering whether the show is trying a little too hard.

Tuesday night's episode introduced Audience Choice Week for the first time, handing some of the decision-making over to viewers who had submitted challenge ideas earlier this year.

Rather than the usual Cake, Biscuit or Bread Week, the remaining 11 bakers found themselves tackling three rather unconventional challenges, and the reaction at home was far from encouraging.

Things started with a Signature challenge requiring contestants to make a baked cheesecake inspired by a family favourite flavour.

There was an added Bake Off twist, though.

Each baker was joined by a relative or loved one, who helped them make their cheesecake in the tent.

The bakers were challenged to create a wearable item (Channel 4)

The idea certainly produced some sweet moments, with Moyin even earning the first Hollywood Handshake of the series for the cheesecake he made alongside his mum.

Paul Hollywood called it ‘flawless’.

But some viewers felt bringing in extra pairs of hands undermined the point of the competition.

“Really not a fan of this #GBBO family and friends task,” one wrote. “The Great British Bake Off is about finding the best baker, not the best family unit.”

Another frustrated fan said: “I am a die hard Bake Off fan, but WHAT is this season. Why are there relatives in the tent, why can they see what they’re baking in the technical, why can no one seemingly bake that well, what have you done to my fave show”.

The Technical wasn't really a Technical

The next challenge caused even more confusion.

Instead of being handed one of Paul Hollywood or Nigella Lawson's recipes with deliberately sparse instructions, the bakers received mystery boxes containing basic ingredients including eggs, flour, sugar, butter and lemons, amongst other things.

They then had two hours to decide for themselves what to make.

In other words, it was essentially a choose-your-own Technical, something that didn't go down particularly well with viewers who enjoy watching everybody attempt the same bake.

“I don’t mind the idea of audience choosing the signature and showstopper, but the technical didn’t quite work and the family members joining was not good,” one person said. “I hope they don’t do that again.”

Another was considerably less forgiving: “This audience choice week is a total disaster. Three terrible challenges.”

“I hate the format for tonight’s Bake Off, what were they thinking, it’s chaotic and gimmicky,” slammed another.

Moyin received a Hollywood handshake for his bake, helped by his mum (Channel 4)

Wearable bakes completed the week

Things didn't get any more conventional for the Showstopper.

The bakers were asked to create something they could actually wear, leading to edible handbags, hats, wings and other elaborate creations.

Yet the episode left some fans yearning for the considerably simpler Bake Off of old.

“Ok I love #GBBO but increasingly they seem to be 'casting' characters over bakers & introducing ridiculous challenges,” one viewer complained. “I just want to see decent bakers make normal bakes, you don't have to keep making the format more challenging, it's entertaining as it is.”

There has been many changes this year, including the addition of Nigella Lawson as judge (Channel 4)

Some fans are threatening to switch off

Perhaps most worryingly for the programme, some longtime viewers suggested the Audience Choice experiment was symptomatic of a bigger problem with the current series.

One wrote: “This year has been awful so far and this audience choice/ bringalonga family member has been the worst episode ever in #GBBO history, imo.

“I'll watch a bit longer in hope of improvement and seeing some decent baking, but it's no longer something I'm looking forward to.”

That might sting given Audience Choice Week was quite literally born from fan suggestions.

Audience Choice Week wasn't a complete disaster for everyone, of course, and Hollywood previously said the relatives challenge boosted contestants' confidence.

Still, the backlash suggests plenty of viewers don't necessarily want Bake Off reinvented.

Tyla reached out to Channel 4 for comment