Great British Bake Off 2023 Biscuit Week: Doughgate a flop with viewers

What did you miss?

The Great British Bake Off viewers were disappointed by how easily the bakers managed to resolve 'Doughgate'.

Week two of the latest series of the baking contest saw the 11 bakers tackle Biscuit Week and previews teased drama when one of the bakers 'stole' another's biscuit dough.

But Doughgate was a flop with fans when the bakers reacted so kindly and calmly.

What, how, and why?

For the technical challenge the bakers attempted to make 12 identical classic custard creams in just one hour and a half.

The bakers all started by making their biscuit dough and putting it in the fridge to chill while they attempted to make smooth custard butter cream.

During the time pressure of the challenge PA Cristy, 33, took the dough made by 21-year-old student Rowan.

But when Rowan - the youngest baker in the tent - went to fetch his dough for cutting and baking he exclaimed: "Cristy have you used my biscuit dough? You have. That's my dough!"

Cristy from East London told him: "I'm so sorry!"

The 33-year-old PA gave Rowan back his dough, already rolled out.

Host Noel Fielding asked the student: "Is this sabotage?"

Rowan replied: "Sabotage? No, Cristy's done a great job."

Viewers hoping for the drama of Bake Off 2014's infamous Bingate - when frustrated contestant Iain threw his imperfect Baked Alaska in the bin - were disappointed with 'Doughgate'.

One wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter: "Wait that was it?? Biscuit dough gate amounted to a “whoops sorry here’s your biscuit dough back”. Where’s the drama??"

Another commented: "I needed that to be more dramatic, both parties disappointingly reasonable #doughgate #GBBO."

One fan said: "We've had Custardgate, we've had Bingate...now we have Doughgate, but Doughgate is much less drama and more light-hearted than Custardgate & Bingate."

Another viewer complained: "#DoughGate was not as interesting as #BinGate"

And one Bake Off fan posted: "I'm just glad this didn't turn out half as bad as what I thought it would be."

Neither Cristy nor Rowan came top or bottom in the technical and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood found the majority of the bakers' efforts undercooked and too soft.

What else happened on The Great British Bake Off?

Keith was sent home after struggling throughout biscuit week.

The bakers tackled melted marshmallow to make tea cakes and wagon wheels for their signature biscuit challenge.

The 60-year-old chartered accountant struggled to make his marshmallow fluff after his sugar syrup did not reach the correct temperature on time. This meant he rushed his peanut butter and jam wagon wheels and was forced to serve them to the judges unset and messy.

Keith said: "Well I knew they weren't going to be the most attractive in the tent, I wasnt planning on them being quite so messy."

But Leith told him: "The truth is they are absolutely delicious."

And Hollywood said: "It's beauty and the beast, that's what it is."

Keith also came bottom in the custard cream technical and struggled with the biscuit illusion showstopper.

Hollywood told him: "Your flavours are always great, but that biscuit is to soft. You've let yourself down, it's raw in the middle."

Tasha got the Hollywood handshake of the series for her teacakes even though the judge had said her biscuit looked too thick.

The 27-year-old Participation Officer laughed: "I was not expecting that at all!"

Research assistant Josh, 27, also got a delayed Hollywood handshake for his biscuit illusion burger and chips.

Hollywood told him: "You've done something really special there. I've never had an illusion which looked and tasted so good."

It was a close call but Tasha was awarded Star Baker.

Will we be back for more?

Next week the 10 remaining bakers will take on Bread Week - with the pressure ramped up to impress professional baker and bread specialist Hollywood.

The preview teases a complicated knotted loaf and cooking utensils flying across the tent.

New co-host Alison Hammond continues to settle in to the tent, interviewing contestants under pressure and messing around with comedian Fielding to fill the time with funny sketches.

The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 every Tuesday at 8pm. It can also be streamed online at Channel4.com

Read more: Great British Bake Off

• Bake Off 2023: Fans react to Alison Hammond's debut as host

• Alison Hammond's Bake Off best bits: How the new host fared as a contestant

• What happened to the winners of the Great British Bake Off?

Watch: Nine reasons why The Great British Bake Off makes such great TV