The Great British Bake Off might not have a chocolate week when they start filming the new series.
The Channel 4 The reality show is about to start working on the upcoming 15th series before it comes back later this year, but the worldwide cocoa scarcity might make the producers stop including chocolate.
Extreme weather The rising prices of cocoa in cocoa-producing countries in West Africa, due to unsuccessful harvests, have led to a big decision for Bake Off bosses.
An insider said The Sunthat the producers are quite sure that they can get enough cocoa and chocolate products for the series.
‘It’s more about style and continuity. If there really is a severe lack of chocolate by the time this series airs, it’ll seem a bit strange to be displaying gooey, chocolatey items.’
This is especially true for the fans of the show, which is currently airing its celebrity edition, who like to make their favorite recipes after each episode.
They further added: ‘Bosses know that fans like to try and make recipes after they have aired too, which could be a problem if the scarcity continues.
‘Of course the poor harvests will be having a very real, devastating impact on the farmers who rely on their cocoa crops as their livelihood, so that’s an important consideration too.’
It could mean that producers decide to cancel chocolate week in a thoughtful decision based on how the world may look later this year.
It wouldn’t be the first time Bake Off – which is hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, with Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith as judges – has cancelled a themed week.
Last year, bosses decided to get rid of international challenges after criticism over Mexican Week which saw viewers accuse the series of racism following a joke made by Noel and his then-co-host Matt Lucas.
Before the 14th series aired in September, GBBO executive producer Kieran Smith said to The Guardian: ‘We didn’t want to offend anyone but the world has changed and the joke fell flat. We’re not doing any national themes this year.’
Instead, producers returned to Bake Off’s original recipe and based shows around classic weeks, including cakes and bread.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
