THE Great British Bake Off proved a hit with viewers after its debut gave Channel 4 its highest overnight audience for five years.
The baking programme attracted a bigger audience than any of the show’s previous launch episodes on BBC Two - but was well down on last year’s opener on BBC One.
An average of 6.5 million people tuned in to Tuesday night’s episode, giving Channel 4 its highest overnight audience for five years, the broadcaster said. The figure includes those who watched the episode on Channel 4+1.
The series returned to television screens on Tuesday night with new presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, as well as new judge Prue Leith. Paul Hollywood was the only member of the original team to move with the show.
Fellow reality star, Gary Maclean, who was the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals said said that he thought the “polished” competitors were the stand out part of the programme.
The Senior Lecturer at City of Glasgow College, added: “I think getting Prue Leith was a stroke of genius, they’ve almost replaced Mary Berry like-for-like.
“Hollywood is the cornerstone of the show and they would have struggled if he hadn’t stayed. I think they’ve been brave with their two hosts, Noel and Sandi, they’re chalk and cheese entertainment but I think the general public will take to them eventually.”
Bake Off’s biggest overnight audience for a launch episode on BBC Two was 5.6 million in 2013.
By contrast the show’s launch on BBC One last year won an overnight average of 10.4 million - almost four million above the figure for Channel 4.
Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s outgoing chief creative officer, said: “I was excited by the fantastic reception that the show got.
She added: “”It’s always challenging when you launch a new team and it’s really thrilling to see people warm to [the presenters] so quickly.”
IT consultant Peter, 52, was the first contestant to be sent home.
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