Who Will Win Series 15 Of Great British Bake Off?
The Great British Bake Off returned for a 15th series on Tuesday night, and there wasn't a soggy bottom in sight.
Dame Prue Leith admitted she has "never seen such a bunch of great bakers" after just one episode.
In a huge twist, Prue and fellow Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood opted against sending anyone home in week one, partly because Prue "didn't want to lose any of them", but also because contestant Jeff could only take part in the first challenge due to feeling unwell afterwards.
The initial challenge saw the amateur bakers tasked with making a loaf cake, and their second bake featured a new twist.
This year's contestants were given a "taste and bake challenge", in which they had five minutes to taste a Battenberg cake and then recreate it without a recipe.
For the final Showstopper, the bakers had to each make a hyper-realistic illusion cake, meaning it had to be decorated to look exactly like something else.
While nobody went home, John's price on betting sites has been cut after he was given the first Star Baker award of the series.
Great British Bake Off Odds: Proud John Tops Market
John admitted he was "so proud" of himself after finding out from host Alison Hammond that he was this week's Star Baker.
The NHS worker delivered the third best Battenberg out of the contestants, and Prue admitted he was doing "really well" in the competition.
For his Showstopper, John made a cake to look like a pair of jeans and it was praised by Prue for being "really well executed".
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Following his week one exploits, John is now 13/8 favourite on new betting sites to win the series, while Sumayah (2/1) and Georgie (5/2) aren't too far behind in the market.
Sumayah got off to a great start as Prue praised her loaf cake as one of the most interesting cakes she has ever eaten, and Paul said her Showstopper looked "exceptional" after she made a cake version of her pet duck, Pato.
Georgie wowed in the "taste and bake challenge" when her Battenberg was voted the best of the lot.
While she seemed to be struggling for her Showstopper, she still produced a fantastic creation of her pet chicken.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Illiyn's Hollywood Handshake
While Star Baker is the award everyone wants on Bake Off, another accolade is Paul's now-famous "Hollywood Handshake", which he hands out to bakers who have impressed.
And the judge couldn't wait to give out one during the first episode, doing so after the first challenge.
Illiyn received the first Hollywood Handshake of the series for her Cinnamon Roll Loaf Cake, and the delighted amateur baker said: "What a way to start."
She is into 3/1 on specials betting sites to win the series, followed by Andy (4/1) and Gill (5/1).
Car mechanic Andy had a mixed reaction for his Showstopper, which looked just like a holdall.
The Great British Bake Off Winner Odds
Contestant | Odds | Probability |
John | 13/8 | 38.1% |
Sumayah | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Georgie | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Illiyin | 3/1 | 25% |
Andy | 4/1 | 20% |
Gill | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Nelly | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Dylan | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Jeff | 15/2 | 11.8% |
Mike | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Christiaan | 9/1 | 10% |
Hazel | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Paul said his effort was overbaked, but he loved the flavour, and Prue described it as an "absolute triumph".
Prue praised 7/1 chance Dylan's cake as "so original and delicious", while Jeff missed out on the chance to make one due to being ill.
In the first challenge, Paul loved the flavours of his loaf cake but admitted it "looked such a mess".
Jeff is out to 15/2, from 5/1, to win the series, but he is just 3/1 to go home next.
Hazel In Danger
However, Hazel looks to be in danger of an early exit on Tuesday night, after she struggled in Cake Week.
Ahead of the first episode, the former nail technician said she can make "beautiful cakes", but admitted her main weakness is "baking biscuits".
With Biscuit Week up next and potentially two exit spots, there is plenty of work to do for Hazel.
She didn't get off to a good start as her loaf cake was described as "a bit dry", and she overbaked her Showstopper.
The Great British Bake Off First To Exit Odds
Contestant | Odds | Probability |
Hazel | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Christiaan | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Mike | 9/4 | 30.8% |
Jeff | 3/1 | 25% |
Dylan | 10/3 | 23.1% |
Nelly | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Gill | 4/1 | 20% |
Andy | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Illiyin | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Georgie | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Sumayah | 8/1 | 11.1% |
John | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Hazel is the 10/1 outsider on betting apps to win the series, and 15/8 favourite to be the first amateur baker of the series sent home.
Christiaan, who is 2/1 to go first, also struggled at times in the opening episode.
Prue said his loaf cake "didn't taste nice", and Paul claimed his Showstopper creation was "bone dry", because it was "massively overbaked".
However, there is some hope for Christiaan after he had the second-best Battenberg.
Mike cried tears of joy when host Noel Fielding announced nobody was going home in week one.
His Battenberg was voted the worst due to his "terrible" marzipan, but he redeemed himself in the Showstopper.
Paul said Mike's cake, which was made to look like a stack of books, was "executed very well".
He is an 8/1 outsider to win the series, and 9/4 third favourite to go home first.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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