Nigel’s Bake Off Adventure Continues

By now, all those who watch “Bake Off” will know that it was Julia who “left the tent” last night.  To be honest we were all a little gutted as we all, to the man, wanted Stacey to go.  This news also means that Lucy, who had Julia in the Office Sweepstakes, now has to take a home bake into work which must contain an unusual ingredient beginning with the letter J, we have suggested jalapeno cookies! But I digress, Nigel is just relieved that now all is open and above board he is no longer bound by the Trade Descriptions Act Official Secrets Act.

And ……. he can now tell us a little more about his wondrous adventure. He said that it had been quite a long day, because after joining the audience queue, then being briefed and signing his life away,  he didn’t get into the actual recording studio until about 4.30pm and to be honest that's where the real excitement began.  To see the Extra Slice set in real life was just too thrilling, and it looked just as cosy and intimate as it looks on the tele.

Once settled, the audience were privy to last nights episode “Pastry Week”, so that they knew what Extra Slice was going to be about.  Nigel said that there were sighs all around when they found out it was Julia, especially from the ladies sitting next to him, who like us, wanted Stacey to go!!!  They had also bought haggis and sprout tarts with them as their bake, which Nigel was quite happy they didn’t offer him any to taste!

There then followed an organised audience “wee break” while a gentleman warm up person warmed up the audience, and once everyone was back in their seats he introduced Jo Brand, who as Nigel had told us was absolutely lovely, very funny and to quote Nigel “very professional”

And then finally, before he knew it, the recording began, it ran exactly as it does on the tele, no calls for silence on set, clapper boards or re-runs.  We don’t think we had better say who the panel guests were just in case, as the programme isn’t on until tomorrow night and we don’t want to risk Nigel’s hotel being raided and him bundled unceremoniously into the back of a police van!  However, Nigel said they were very good and it will be interesting to see which bits of what they said will be cut out  ……. most probably the rude bits!

The filming finished at about 8.30, hence the long day, so Nigel thought it best to finally get to his hotel especially as he wasn’t 100% sure where it was. When he arrived, he was only, he said, fit for his bed, still wearing his audience wristband.  Taking it off was emotional, but he put it away safely to put in his treasure box when he gets home.

Nigel said he must have fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and he had dreamt that he was on the show and offered Jo a slice of his Tarte au Citron, which she said was truly the Food of the Gods and asked for another slice  …… sweet dreams Nigel!