BBC2’s The Family Cooking Showdown loses stars Nadiya Hussain and Zoe Ball
HAD the BBC just offered a bit more dough, it could have kept Bake Off and we would be spared the rubbish attempts at replacing it.
But unfortunately, the Beeb’s top brass are prone to making bonkers decisions — and they made another one.
Their BBC2 show The Big Family Cooking Showdown — a total flop in its first series — is set to be even worse after they announced they have replaced its two biggest names, Nadiya Hussain and Zoe Ball, with C-list presenter Angellica Bell and relatively unknown chef Tommy Banks.
The first series, which had Rosemary Shrager and Giorgio Locatelli as judges, was a huge disappointment, with one episode getting just over a million viewers. It was even moved from Tuesdays to Thursdays to avoid a clash with Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 — which had 6.5million viewers for the first show in its new home.
The revamp sees Celebrity MasterChef winner Angellica and newcomer Tommy both running the show and judging the competition.
With this year’s series increasing from 12 to 14 weeks, the duo will have their work cut out.
It will also be on earlier, moving from 8pm to 7pm.
A telly source said: “There were high hopes behind the scenes for recreating some of the magic of Bake Off, yet something didn’t quite click.
“But bosses felt there was definitely something there and are trying again with the new format.” BBC2 controller Patrick Holland said: “I am so pleased we are bringing back The Big Family Cooking Showdown to the channel.
“The new time slot and changes to the format mean we will be welcoming a new team, Angellica and Tommy, to take the helm.
“I’d like to thank Zoe, Nadiya, Giorgio and Rosemary for their great work on series one.”
They’ve dodged a bullet in not having to come back.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Mary's no dunk rocker
Mary Berry is set to stir a national debate as she reveals she prefers not to dunk her bread in her soup.
When sampling some butternut squash soup and scones on tonight’s Britain’s Best Home Cook, she says: “Those two go well and, if you wished, you could even dunk that in.
“I’m not a dunker, by the way, but you could dunk your bread in there.”
It comes two years after Mary turned her nose up at her former Great British Bake Off co-judge Paul Hollywood for dunking Jaffa Cakes in his tea, in what became known as Jaffagate.
She said on the show: “We don’t do that in the south.”
I’m a dunker myself, and proud.
bizbit
FIRST Dates host Fred Siriex is hunting for the next big restaurant brand as part of BBC2’s Million Pound Menu. The six-part series, starting on May 17, features 12 budding restaurateurs battling it out to secure a major cash investment.
Shirl on a quest
STRICTLY head judge Shirley Ballas is the latest celeb to sign up for the next series of BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are?
During filming of the hour-long show, she travelled to South Africa to explore her family roots.
Shirley joins Boy George, Olivia Colman, The Sun’s legal expert Judge Rinder and Our Girl star Michelle Keegan in the line-up for this year’s series, which starts in the summer.
A TV source said: “Shirley is really excited to be appearing on the show and loved every minute of filming. She makes a massive discovery during the programme which producers are keeping a closely guarded secret. It’s a riveting journey.”
Shirley’s fellow Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood took part in the show last year,
discovering his great-great-grandfather Harry Shaw was Australasian clog-dancing champion of 1871.
Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell will be signing up next.
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IN EMMERDALE it’s Bob and Brenda’s big day, and as their wedding preparations move at a pace, Doug tries to persuade Laurel to admit her feelings to Bob before it is too late.
Meanwhile, Ross asks questions about Simon, and Charity receives support from a surprising source.
In EASTENDERS, Phil delivers a few hard truths to Kim, suggesting that maybe Vincent had no choice but to leave.
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must watch
WHAT? Red Ape: Saving The Orangutan, 9pm, BBC2.
WHY? The International Animal Rescue charity fights to save Borneo’s endangered apes, giving medical care and returning the healthiest creatures back to the wild.