Great British Bake Off fans switch off companion show Second Helpings as they make plea to Channel 4
Fans want Extra Slice back on their screensGreat British Bake Off viewers have issued a plea to Channel 4 after branding spin-off show Second Helpings “boring” and “bottom of the barrel”.
Hosted by Judi Love and Jon Richardson, the programme was brought in for the 2026 series to replace Extra Slice.
But after giving it a try, viewers have begun switching off.
They are now calling on Channel 4 to bring back Extra Slice and its presenters Jo Brand and Tom Allen.
Great British Bake Off fans switch off Second Helpings
Second Helpings launched alongside this year’s series of The Great British Bake Off. But along with the presenter switch-up, the format has also changed.
Judi Love has been heading off to interview celebrities who are doing promotional rounds for their new films and projects.
Fans claim they are just not warming to the new show and want to see Extra Slice back.
Writing on X following last night’s Dessert Week episode of GBBO, one viewer said: “The fact this after show has made absolutely no noise… not seen a single tweet about it, don’t know a single person who’s watched it… we need Extra Slice back.”
Another added: “What happened to Jo Brand & Tom Allen in An Extra Slice? Was the best program & so missed!”
And a third complained: “I used to enjoy #GBBO An Extra Slice, Jo Brand and Tom Allen were top notch. Second Helpings is the bottom of the barrel in comparison.”
There has also been criticism of Second Helpings among Great British Bake Off fans on Reddit.
‘Just abysmal’
“It’s so bad guys,” someone posted. “I know there was a thread about this a few weeks back but that was before Judi Love started interviewing celebrities. This isn’t Graham Norton. We don’t care if Josh Hartnett has a film coming up.
“Also the disappointment in the baker’s face when they get a framed screenshot of the illustration of their bake rather than an expertly crafted edible sculpture like in the Extra Slice days. Jon and Judi are both terrible fits for this and it is so bad.”
One viewer agreed: “It’s super boring and just a couple of interviews. No audience bakes or the funny online posts of great and sometimes terrible looking bakes. Recorded the first episode to watch thinking it’ll be similar to completely stop recording future shows.”
And another wrote: “I enjoyed Extra Slice even more than Bake Off. This new show is just abysmal.”
When is Second Helpings on?
The Great British Bake Off has seen several big changes this series. Nigella Lawson has been brought in as Paul Hollywood’s co-judge following Prue Leith’s departure from the show. But this is a change fans have welcomed.
Second Helpings has also had a schedule change. Extra Slice ran from 2014 and would usually air a few days after the latest episode of The Great British Bake Off, at around 8pm. This would give fans another Bake Off fix during the week.
However, Second Helpings has been given a late night slot. It has been airing on the same evening as The Great British Bake Off but at 10.15pm – a full hour after Bake Off has finished. Game show Tempting Fortunes has been slotted in between.
Extra Slice hosts Jo Brand and Tom Allen have not commented on Second Helpings. They were sad to say goodbye to Extra Slice when it was axed, though.
At the time, Jo said: “I’ve loved every minute of Extra Slice. The bakers have been brilliant, talented and remarkably calm for people whose pork pies are being discussed on national television.
“And working alongside my TV husband Tom has obviously been a joy.”
Tom added: “I have loved working with the team and with the kindest person in television, Jo Brand.”
TVGuide has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
