Almost eight million viewers tuned in to The Great British Bake Off on Wednesday evening to watch twelve hopefuls tackle their first ever baking signature challenge.Things got hot in the kitchen as the culinary TV hit, hosted by Mel and Sue, kicked off with its second highest ever audience, with 7.9 million viewers watching the show at its peak.
CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR RECIPES
Click on photos for recipes of the desserts tackled on GBBO, including swiss rolls, cherry and almond cake and a victoria sponge
The first episode of the fifth series saw contestants get in a jam as they tried to bake the perfect swiss roll. If watching the bakers get their fingers sticky inspired you to don the apron and try your hand at a baking challenge, click on photos for recipes.
The set of bakers, which includes the show's youngest and oldest contestants, also tackled the tough task of creating Mary Berry's classic cherry and almond cake.For the show-stopper challenge, not one but 36 beautifully decorated and evenly-sized miniature cakes had to be rustled up against the clock.
Get baking with this beautiful cherry cake recipe
As always, one unlucky contestant had to say goodybe to the bunting-decorated marquee, and this week it was Claire Goodwin. The 31-year-old said: "Getting myself ridiculously worked up about the Swiss roll was my worst moment. Why did I cry about a cake?"
