Bake Off: The Professionals star breaks down in tears over 'pressure'

What did you miss?

Bake Off: The Professionals star Mamma G - Gerol - cried twice as she become overwhelmed with the "pressure" of taking part in the show.

Temperatures were roasting hot in the kitchen as the Bake Off: The Professionals got stuck into the first heat of the BBC competition show. Viewers dubbed it the "most stressful" TV show as they watched on at home on Tuesday.

The contestants were tasked with a secret challenge. All the ingredients needed were presented in front of them to make 36 identical tarte aux fraise. They had two and a half hours to complete the task - shocking fans at home.

Intense scenes showed Mamma G breaking down and wiping her tears after the first challenge was over. As tensions cooled off, just moments later the contestant was in tears again when she faced the judges Cherish Finden and Benoit Blin.

What, how and why?

Gerol and Michael from The Royal Air Force Club were working together on Bake Off: The Professionals. She leaned on her teammate for reassurance when the pressure got too much and she cried while the cameras rolling.

Comforting Michael told her: "Come on, you're alright." He put his arm around her and tried to calm her nerves before they faced the judges for the first time.

The emotional chef then wiped away her tears and she tried to pull herself together. She told her teammate: "Need to stop crying."

Poking fun, Michael said: "Yeah I know right!"

When they come face to face with the judges, Mamma G broke down for a second time in front of the cameras. Before the judging could start, Finden directly asked the contestant: "I have to ask you something, why did you cry?"

At this point, Mamma G was in tears again. She confessed: "I'm going to cry again. I just felt the pressure. The relief. I was actually surprised we had 36." Her words sparked a nervous laughter in the kitchen, including from her teammate Michael who stuck by her side.

Despite the tears, the team from The Royal Air Force Club had performed well enough with Blin telling them they had a "great little tart". They were told the "strawberry could be neater". Blin said: "There is colour, there is life, there is intent."

Read more: Bake Off: The Professionals fans have same issue as show returns

What did viewers think?

Social media was awash with fans remarking upon how gruelling the competition is and it is only week one. "Are we sure 2.5 hours was long enough?!" said one person of the challenge on social media platform X.

Another viewer remarked: "They just need to give them longer on some tasks. Feels like they’re being set up to fail."

Some went as far to call Bake Off: The Professionals the "most stressful show on TV". "It’s surely the most stressful show on TV!" said one fan.

Somebody else agreed: "Professionals is so much more stressful than amateurs."

"Name a more stressful TV show than Bake Off: The Professionals - I’ll wait," wrote another viewer.

Later, the contestants were tasked with creating a chocolate amenity and musical Trompe l'oeil showpieces with hidden pecan pies. Mamma G and Michael impressed judges with their drum kit illusion and they hid the cake in the drum. Delicious! We can't wait to see what they serve up next.

Watch Bake Off: The Professionals on Channel 4 on Tuesday at 8pm.