Why You Might Not Want To Be On The Great British Baking Show
Fans of "The Great British Baking Show" have likely envisioned what it would feel like to create a culinary masterpiece in that signature tent. While you're whipping up a batch of cookies or delicate French pastries at home, you may have pictured what it would be like to receive a signature Paul Hollywood handshake. Or, perhaps you have a recurring nightmare about making an utter mess of a tricky Technical Challenge.
However, it turns out that being a contestant on "The Great British Baking Show" isn't all fun and games, even though it may look relatively relaxing and full of positivity when you're watching it from the comfort of your couch. Although receiving Star Baker or mastering a recipe may give you a confidence boost, there are also some elements to the show that are a little tougher to handle, as Insider reports.
One of the most obvious challenges that anyone watching may have picked up on is the mere fact that every emotional moment and experience is captured on camera — after all, it's the camera crew's job to film riveting television, and that means capturing every contestant crying into their creme patissiere. The show's large viewership also means that, while contestants are met with many positive messages and fans online, they're also subject to potential bullying from viewers. In fact, as Express reports, Season 11 contestant Laura Adlington revealed that prior to appearing on the show she was "terrified of being trolled."
But these aren't the only downsides.
The Great British Baking Show contestants wind up smelly and exhausted
If cameras capturing every moment and everything about you being up for scrutiny by an often cruel online audience wasn't enough to dissuade you from appearing on the show, there are a few other downsides, according to Insider.
The first has to do with the filming schedule. "The Great British Baking Show" is unique in that its filmed over a series of weekends, rather than requiring contestants to hole up in provided accommodations for the full duration of the shoot, per the outlet. However, it means that those weekend shooting days are grueling, often 12-hour ordeals. And, since it only films on weekends, many contestants decide to continue working their normal jobs during the week, competing secretly on the weekends. Tom Hetherington, a contestant from Season 8, called the experience "one of the most exhausting periods of my life," according to Insider.
Finally, to top it all off, for continuity's sake contestants have to wear the same clothes over the course of each weekend. Yes, even on those days where contestants express just how hot it is in the tent, with sweat dripping from their brows and chocolate melting within moments, they're back in the same clothes the next day. In response, many contestants have had to get creative — according to Metro, Season 7 contestant Selasi Gbormittah resorted to hand-washing his shirts in the hotel room sink and drying them on the radiator so he could have a fresh ensemble for the following day.