Year after year, Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off gains the devotion of millions up and down the UK. Despite the trials and tribulations of 2020, Bake Off gracing the screens once more restored a sense of normality for many of us.
Each year, the competition gets fierce, discussions across social media often get heated, and as fans find their favourites, a ten-week fight for the Bake Off crown begins.
This year, 20-year-old Peter Sawkins won the hearts of fans everywhere pretty early on in the competition. With viewers rooting for the blue-eyed student from week to week.
It was no surprise then to see fans elated when Peter was crowned winner of Great British Bake Off season 11.
Source: Peter Sawkins’ Instagram
As one of the stand-out contestants, fans had Peter down as a winner from the very start.
And many took to social media to express their delight over his win.
Soooo happy Peter won! Laura is an amazing baker too, it’s just that her timings were always off 😅 #GBBO
— m. (was toriftlovato) (@toriftolsen) November 24, 2020
Awww I’m so happy for Peter!! He deserved it 😆👏🏼✨ #GBBO
— chloe (@jedimasterdaisy) November 24, 2020
#GBBO Well done Peter! Called it in week 2 and got it right! Youngest EVER winner! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🧁🍰🎂
— Wayne Howarth (@Koianu) November 24, 2020
Peter is like the antidote to 2020, bless his little Scottish socks 👏🍰 #GBBO
— Lexy Hudson (@AceOfWords) November 24, 2020
I AM SO HAPPY FOR MY GLUTEN FREE CHERUB PETER. I cried. #GBBOFinal pic.twitter.com/8UznYCV9yG
— Natalie Palmer (@NataliePalms) November 24, 2020
ahhh just finished watching the bake off and i’m actually crying because my favourite won 🥺🥺🥺 #GBBOFinal
— H 🦋 (@hollywoodhopps) November 24, 2020
Not only were fans over the moon at Peter’s win, but Bake Off viewers also told of their appreciation for the show this year.
Many revelled at the happiness this little slice of baking escapism had brought them:
TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan tweeted his thanks to the GBBO team for all their efforts to make sure this year’s show went ahead. Calling it “A huge commitment, for a show we really needed #GBBO”
Bake Off could have easily skipped this year…
..but they didn't. Instead the production team, catering, hotel staff and the cast self-isolated for a week and then bubbled *for weeks* so that the show could air.
A huge commitment, for a show we really needed #GBBO pic.twitter.com/W3KF2HABOP
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) November 24, 2020
While @HonestBakeOff, an account dedicated to the Channel 4 show, said: “This show has been the pick-me-up the nation needed in 2020.”
This programme has been the pick-me-up the nation needed in 2020. Thank you ❤️ #GBBO https://t.co/PKG3KtHfqy
— Brutally Honest Bake Off (@HonestBakeOff) November 24, 2020
Another fan tweeted “I know it’s just a baking show but I really needed Bake Off this year.” Calling it “wholesome” and “full of great people.”
Gosh, I know it’s just a baking show but I really needed Bake Off this year. This wholesome show full of great people, just living their passion & growing doing it. People being decent, getting to interact normally. Making ace stuff. Be more bake off #GBBO pic.twitter.com/tBA49gthB7
— sarah smith smizz ✏️✏️✏️ スミッツ (@smizz) November 24, 2020
While it may be hard to believe that the oven gloves have been hung up for yet another year, it is clear that this year’s competition has evoked something in viewers that it would not normally.
It seems shows like GBBO might be the escape we all need from this big (Eton) Mess of a year.
Words: Chloe Rose | Subbing: Sara Varga