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Channel 4 has announced the names of the hosts of its forthcoming series ‘Bake Off: The Professionals’.
The spin-off show from ‘The Great British Bake Off’ will be presented by Liam Charles, alongside Tom Allen.
Liam was a contestant in series 8 of ‘The Great British Bake Off’, which aired on Channel 4 last Autumn. The 20-year-old student came fifth and was eliminated on October 17. But to many he was one of the show’s standout stars. His enthusiasm for baking and use of interesting flavours won him praise from the judges and admiration from fans.
At the time of his elimination, Liam said: “It’s not the end of me, it’s just the beginning.” Now, he says: “I’m totally amazed by the skill of professional chefs and to be doing this so soon after Bake Off is just sick. I can’t wait to get cracking. I told you I’d be back!”
Tom is a comedian, actor and writer, best known for his acerbic wit and riotous storytelling. He said: “I’m over the moon to be joining the Bake Off family and working with such a great team including my co-host Liam, the judges and some truly incredible professional patissiers. Finally, It feels like getting that A* in Food Technology GCSE was worth it in the end!”
The show will see 12 professional duos from across the UK compete in heats judged by celebrated pastry chefs Cherish Finden, who is the creative development chef at Godiva Chocolates, and Benoit Blin, who is chef patissier at Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons restaurant in Oxfordshire.
In each episode, the expert pairs will be challenged in two rounds that will test their professional ability and allow them to showcase their creative flair.
It was announced last October that ‘Bake Off: The Professionals’ would move from BBC to Channel 4. The show previously ran for two series under the title ‘Bake Off: Crème de la Crème’, hosted by Tom Kerridge and Angus Deayton.
The new Love Productions series of 10 one-hour episodes will air on Channel 4 later this year. Channel 4 deputy director of programmes Kelly Webb-Lamb commented: “We’re delighted to welcome ‘Bake Off: The Professionals’ to Channel 4 and with it, two new faces in their first presenting roles.
‘Bake Off: The Professionals’ will combine the charm and tension of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ with mouth-watering professional creations that will inspire viewers to experiment themselves.
Liam Charles
