Great British Bake Off launch episode loses 400,000 viewers

The ratings are the lowest for a Bake Off launch show since 2013
Drop: Ratings have fallen since last year
Channel 4

The first episode of The Great British Bake Off has lost 400,000 viewers compared to last year’s launch episode, overnight ratings show.

The 90-minute opener drew an average of 5.7 million viewers last night with a peak of 6.6 million, Channel 4 said.

The programme aired at 8pm last night and had a 30.6 per cent audience share in its time slot.

These are the lowest overnight ratings for a Bake Off launch since 2013, when the opening episode drew 5.6 million viewers to BBC Two.

The figure does not include viewers who watch the show on Channel 4's catch-up service All4.

Dream team: Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on this week’s show
Love Productions

Last year’s series premiere drew an average of 6.1 million viewers and peaked at seven million.

Yesterday’s episode saw support worker Dan Chambers become the first baker to leave the cooking competition, despite fellow contestant Jamie Finn forgetting to include eggs in a baking challenge.

The 32-year-old failed to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood after serving up a “raw” fruit cake.

In a letter to fans published on the show’s official Twitter account after the episode aired, Chambers said that he felt “truly grateful” for the “kind words and well-wishes” he received from viewers.

“I of course would have liked my time in the tent to be longer, but unfortunately [it] didn’t quite go to plan on the day,” he added.

The episode also saw print shop administrator Michelle Evans-Fecci crowned the first star baker of the series after she wowed Leith with her carrot cake recipe.

"This is the 10th anniversary of The Great British Bake Off and what a way to start!" the judge said.

​Additional reporting by Press Association.

Bake Off 2019 contestants

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