Best Bake Off Moments of Each Year (Series 1-15)

Best Bake Off Moments of Each Year (Series 1-15)

Welcome to WatchMojoUK and today we’ll be recounting all the stand out moments of each year that the Bake Off has been on telly!

Be sure to also check out our video highlighting the very best bakes from every single season of the Bake Off - because this time we’re focusing on hilarious, heartwarming, and panic inducing moments from the Bake Off tent.

Series 1: First Ever Winner

We turn back to Bake Off’s humble and wholesome origins for a moment that…well, pretty much epitomizes those descriptors. Things worked a little differently back then, with one of the three finalists eliminated during the signature, meaning this final showdown was between Edd and Ruth. Their final challenge was an afternoon tea spread with Petit Fours, Scones, Finger Sandwiches. Though the competition was close, Edd’s Tarts, Scones, Buns, and Finger Sandwiches narrowly came out on top.

It was an emotional finale which also served as a launching pad for Kimber’s baking career.

Series 2: Cake Catastrophe

Muck ups are bound to happen in the kitchen, but oftentimes in the bake off tent, they happen at the worst possible moment. Series two saw such a scene, during a Chocolate Tiered Cake showstopper challenge. Contestant Rob Billington had just completed his creation and it was a rather impressive looking chocolate genoise sponge cake. It’s when he had to bring it to the judges’ table that disaster struck. The sight was enough to make every viewer in Britain gasp! It wasn’t the last time we’d see such a catastrophic sight but we simply weren’t used to seeing things like this happen in the early bake off days.

When Rob Billington dropped his cake right before judging

Read More: https://www.mashed.com/1839168/dramatic-moments-great-british-bake-off/

A nervy Rob Billington managed to drop his chocolate genoise sponge cake on the floor as he was in the final stages of preparing it. A layer was salvaged with the help of Paul Hollywood and it was presented for scrutiny.

Series 3: Dough Flinging

After Paul taught Sarah Jane the twist and stretch technique to knead her strudel dough, she tried to pass the lesson on with significantly less successful results. Admittedly though, perhaps it was just Cathyrn who got a bit overzealous in the technique which sent her dough flying onto the floor. Fortunately, even Cathyrn saw the funny side as she giggled at her misfortune and wondered how on earth she could serve Mary Berry the now dirty dough.

UK-TV-Top-20-Funniest-Great-British-Bake-Off-Moments_F7E5R0

Series 4: Custardgate

Back in 2013, contestant Deborah Manger caused national uproar when she pinched a fellow baker’s custard from the fridge. Well, it was an accident, but we were outraged all the same. According to Mary, Howard was making a ‘true crème anglaise’, while Deborah had gone for an easier option. Both bakers left their attempts to set in the same fridge, but the superior custard mysteriously ended up in Deborah’s trifle. After confessing her mistake, Deborah’s day went from bad to worse and she was ultimately sent home. Howard wasn’t too bothered and decided there was ‘no point having a strop.’ But the public didn’t take his advice and took to twitter in their droves to condemn the custard theft.

UK-TV-Top10-Bake-Off-Moments-That-Left-Us-Speechless_S6A6K3

Series 5: Bingate

After ‘Custardgate’ we thought there could be no bigger “Bake-Off” scandal. But a year later, there was ‘Bingate’. The incident involved Iain Watters, who had left his baked alaska to set in the wrong freezer. In an act that would come back to haunt her, fellow contestant Diana Beard removed the offending dessert and left it to melt into a sloppy mess on the workbench. Iain lost it and flung the remains of his bake into the bin. The judges weren’t happy when he was forced to bring the receptacle up for judging. (As they still could have judged the flavours.) The moment of madness was to cost Iain his place in the competition, while the unrepentant Diana was branded public enemy number one.

UK-TV-Top10-Bake-Off-Moments-That-Left-Us-Speechless_S6A6K3

Series 6: Nadiya’s Speech

Nadiya Hussain is probably “Bake-Off’s” biggest break-out star and her memorable winner’s speech may just be one of the reasons. The British don’t usually go in for much sentimentality, but when Nadiya was crowned champion she had us all in tears - including Mary Berry. A fan favourite from the beginning, the mum of three was unsure of herself at the start. But as the weeks went on her confidence grew. Her tearful acceptance speech was straightforward and touching. She resolved never to put boundaries on herself again. “I’m never going to say ‘I don’t think I can’” she promised. “I can and I will.”

UK-TV-Top10-Bake-Off-Moments-That-Left-Us-Speechless_S6A6K3

Series 7: Selasi Takes It Easy

With the pressure on, many of the amateur bakers on this popular competition show start to crack under the stress. But, in season 7, there was one baker whose attitude was so relaxed it was comforting. While others were freaking out, Selasi Gbormittah was taking every challenge with complete and utter Zen. When it turned out a fellow baker was making the same kind of pie as him, he didn’t worry about the competition. Selasi even took teasing with an amused grin and returned the favor with some meringue tomfoolery. His neverending smiles and cheerful attitude about the ups and downs in the tent was an encouragement to all.

MM-TV-Top-10-Wholesome-Moments-on-The-Great-British-Bake-Off_O6N9L4

Series 8: Life of…Pie?

Now for a more toned-down opener, but still iconic, the “Life of Pi” parody from Season 8’s Pastry Week. It begins with Sandy peacefully paddling down a river. After a brief monologue, Noel is revealed in a comical tiger costume. A nearby Prue is bewildered by the scene, which turns out to be a droll pun about pies. It’s a perfect example of why Noel and Sandi’s hosting style was so brilliant, highlighting their gift for subtly absurd comedy.

UK-Pop-Top-10-Great-British-Bake-Off-Noel-Fielding-Moments_J4Y3J6

Series 9: Rahul’s Jar Explodes

In another heated challenge in the Bake Off tent, 32 degree weather created an explosive finale to wrap up Series 9. Rahul Mandal, an engineering researcher and king of self-deprecating jokes, was much-loved for his ambitious bakes despite his timid nature. The tense final showstopper challenge made the heat so unbearable that one of Rahul’s glass storage jars unfortunately exploded as he was rushing to complete his cake consisting of over 200 elements. He was forced to bin the ingredients contaminated with glass and start from scratch, but thankfully Paul and Prue gave him an extra fifteen minutes to finish on time. His end result was still delicious, even if the judges didn’t find it quite as visually appealing.

UK-TV-Top10-Iconic-GBBO-Moments_G8T6A4

Series 10: Henry’s Handshake

There’s no greater honor in the Bake Off tent than the coveted Hollywood handshake. And while there’s some that have brought tears to our eyes over the years, for many the most memorable was the one given to Henry Bird in 2019. For the signature challenge, Henry prepared chocolate kardemummabullar buns, and the judges were beyond impressed. While Paul was initially critical of their appearance, the taste test erased any doubt. What made this moment so special though… was Henry’s reaction. Yep, his involuntary response left him quite red in the face.

Source:

https://www.mashed.com/766074/the-best-paul-hollywood-handshake-moments-ranked/

Episode 7

Series 11: Celebrity Cakes

After watching the first showstopper round of season 11, we believe there may be some people who no longer believe that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Tasked with creating a bust of a celebrity they admire, the bakers surprised us all with an array of hilarious results. From a Freddie Mercury that many likened to the Pringles man and nightmarish David Bowie to David Attenborough taking a tumble, many conceded that the disastrous results seemed fitting for the unprecedented theme of 2020. Most of the results were laughable but who doesn’t need a good chuckle these days.

UK-TV-Top-20-Funniest-Great-British-Bake-Off-Moments_F7E5R0

Series 12: Country Song

The 12th season started off with the usual nature shots and classical music. Then, with a few drumstick clicks it all got very weird. The familiar strains of Billy Ray Cyrus’ "Achy Breaky Heart" took over the soothing scene. Is that Paul Hollywood in a fringe jacket and a mullet wig? Is Prue really wearing a mustache and playing the drums? In one of the craziest show openers in Great British Bake Off history, the hosts and judges rocked out while lip synching baking themed lyrics. It was horrible and hilarious all at the same time. You couldn’t look away. You couldn’t help but laugh. You couldn’t get that song out of your head for days.

UK-TV-Top-20-Funniest-Great-British-Bake-Off-Moments_F7E5R0

Series 13: Use the Force

Since coming to Channel 4, the Bake Off openings have gotten increasingly higher effort. Their 2023 Star Wars opener was easily their most impressive. Seeing both the judges and hosts in costume is priceless, with Noel playing the role of “Princess Layer Cake”, with a pair of bagels stuck to the side of his head. Naturally, Hollywood takes the role of Darth Baker and Prue becomes “Pruebacca”. We’ve had some outlandish intros in the past but this one takes the cake… or uh Flan.

UK-Pop-Top-10-Great-British-Bake-Off-Noel-Fielding-Moments_J4Y3J6

Series 14: Bone Dry Beaver

Accidental innuendos are the lifeblood of GBBO, and no matter how PG the hosts intend to be, they just can’t help but fall into these pitfalls. One of the absolute funniest instances was in the 2023 series after contestant Nicky baked a Beaver shaped cake for the Animal Cake Showstopper challenge. It’s when she presented her beaver…that things went wrong. Perhaps funniest of all were the comments made during the judging process. We certainly wont be forgetting the phrase “bone dry beaver” any time soon.

Series 15: Nelly

Sometimes people leave the Bake Off tent not as the winner of the series, but as the winner of the nation’s hearts. That’s certainly the case for fan favourite, Nelly, who always had a hilarious response for everything. From her exasperated quips to her brilliant chemistry with the hosts, any time Nelly appeared on screen we were in for a treat. And while we’re hoping to cut each entry down to one specific shining moment, it’s just too difficult with Nelly so let’s just stick with some of her greatest hits.

What’s your alltime favourite moment from the Great British Bake Off? Let us know in those comments below.