The Great British Bake Off 2020, episode 2, review: Biscuit Week brought the first shock of the series

It was crunch time as the 11 surviving bakers made it snappy for "Biscuit Week". But would there be any dropped bake dramas or prime ministerial mimicry? Here are all the tea-dunking talking points…

Did Rowan survive on strength of character?

Clad in his trademark waistcoat and tie, flamboyant music teacher Rowan Williams has already emerged as one of the line-up’s most loveable eccentrics. Might this have subliminally influenced the judges in giving him a stay of execution?

Despite repeated warnings to simplify his over-ambitious ideas, Rowan continued to have timing issues. His "Waistcoat Florentines" were underbaked. So were his macaroons, while their messy piping (“You can see the influence of fine French patissérie,” deadpanned Rowan) left him in last place. His “Worse Things Happen At Sea” showstopper might have featured a flashing lighthouse but it was “rustic” (translation: unfinished) with rubbery lemon biscuits.

Rowan admitted his position was “worse than precarious, tipping over into oblivion” but somehow he survived. He now needs to heed Paul Hollywood’s stern advice: “Say less, do more.” Three strikes and he’ll surely be out. For now, though, we’re relieved that Rowan lives to amuse us another week.

Makbul was unlucky to get sent home

“Biscuit week wasn’t my strongest,” admitted Mancunian accountant Makbul Patel. “If I do make it through, it'll be some kind of miracle.” Divine intervention wasn’t forthcoming and he became the second baker to leave the bio-secure tent.

Self-taught baker Makbul struggled in two of the three rounds. His mango and cumin Florentines were supposed to be piped with peacock feathers which instead resembled tennis rackets. Even more damningly, the judges said the soggy biscuits beneath were “not a Florentine”. His "Indian Chai Service" showstopper also failed to fulfil the brief because it was a clumsily assembled flatpack-style, rather than moulded.

Coming third in the macaroon technical wasn’t quite enough to save the silver fox from being culled. But did Makbul really have a worse week than rival Rowan? Perhaps the judges wanted to reduce the number of accountants from three to two or clear up the Mak/Marc/Mark confusion.

Either way, he can consider himself unfortunate. Goodbye, beekeeping Bill Bryson fan. And then there were 10…

Oo-er matron, innuendos were back

The tent’s noble tradition of double entendres (hot baps! massive horns! exposed bottoms!) has somewhat faded in the post-Mel and Sue era but it made an eyebrow-waggling, nudge-winking return this week.

“I remember worrying a bit about your very large nuts,” said Prue Leith earnestly to bearded Northern Irish baker Mark Lutton. She was referring, of course, to the lumpy nature of his mango lassi Florentines but that didn’t stop everyone corpsing with laughter. Mark also found himself chuckling as he explained the reason for his biscuit’s chunky texture: “Obviously you want a bite of nuts.”

In fact, most of the saucy seaside postcard was based around his workbench, with Matt Lucas later observing that the two domed halves of Mark’s Ethiopian coffee pot showstopper looked like breasts and just needed the addition of icing nipples. Talk about taking the biscuit. It was like Carry On Baking in there.

On the floor last week but Dave now hit dizzy heights 

Armoured guard Dave Friday suffered a double misfortune last week. First, his pineapple upside-down cakes were knocked to the tent floor by the flailing arms of rival baker Sura Selvarajah. Dave was then criticised for the furious expression that flitted across his face and what some viewers interpreted as an ungracious reaction.

Well, the blokey Blink 182 fan bounced back in fine style to be crowned this year’s second Star Baker. His opening round, with neatly-feathered, well-flavoured Florentines which just lacked a little texture, was his weakest. After that, Dave was nigh-on perfect. He came top in the technical with neat, beautifully baked macaroons. His Mexican coffee set showstopper was well-sculpted with lovely colours and delicious flavours.

While moulding his Aladdin-style jugs, he said: “If I rubbed them, I’d wish for Star Baker.” Well, the genie of the tent granted his wish and Dave exorcised those dropped bake demons in style.

Lottie got first Hollywood handshake of the series

There had been pre-series speculation that safety guidelines might put paid to Paul Hollywood’s coveted congratulatory handshake. Such fears proved unfounded and this year’s first went to Viking-obsessed panto producer Lottie Bedlow during the signature round.

Her “Quarantine Florentines” had Jackson Pollock-esque abstract chocolate tempering but it was their flavour which wowed, with a delicious blend of nuts, ginger and sour cherries. Try as he might, the silverback master baker admitted he “couldn’t find fault with them” and after a dramatic pause... duly extended his hand.

“What? As if!” she gasped with shock. “I’m never going to wash my hands again.” Maybe not the wisest phrase in this Covid era, Lottie, but we’ll let you off.

Matt Lucas continued to look like inspired casting

Bake Off’s brand new co-presenter made quite a splash during his debut last week, not least with that Boris Johnson skit. Matt Lucas continued to settle in beautifully, displaying a winning combination of wit and kindness.

He opened the show with some made-up biscuit facts. He riffed on the difference between macaroons and macarons, claimed he was only just learning about shapes and pretended to get stuck while bending down to peer into Laura’s oven.

Meanwhile, he and Noel’s time calls and ready-steady-bakes were often miniature comedic works of art. “Bakers, you have five minutes… Until we tell you that you have 10 minutes.” Evil genius.

Noel wouldn’t let Sura forget Splatgate

Poor Sura had only just recovered from the trauma of last week, when she went to swat a pesky fly away from the gingham altar and accidentally knocked Dave Friday’s cakes to the tent floor.

Impish co-presenter Noel Fielding wasn’t going to let Sura forget in a hurry. He asked if she was going to do it again. He joked that he saw her steepling her fingers and cackling afterwards. When the bakers brought their macaroons forward for judging, he asked her to “hang back a bit” to avoid a repeat.

What a wind-up merchant. Happily, his antics didn’t distract Sura, who had another solid week and looks set to go a long way in the contest. Well, so long as she keeps her flapping arms to herself.