BAKER boy

LIAM CHARLES on challenges, chocolate and culinary mishaps – just don't mention olives!

- REBECCA FLETCHER

Liam Charles relishes his role at the helm of TV's sweetest competition, Bake Off: The Professionals. After winning the hearts of the nation as a contestant on the eighth series of The Great British Bake Off in 2017, the London-born star was chosen to co-host its patisserie-themed spin-off when the show moved from BBC2 to C4 in 2018 - and he loves gathering tips from the pastry chefs who take part.

‘Obviously my job is to present the links, but when that’s done, I go around and see if I can pick up any tricks of the trade because I'm still a baker - I'm always learning,’ smiles the 27-year-old.

As the 10th series reaches its halfway point this week, Liam and co-presenter Ellie Taylor, who joined the team in 2023, oversee proceedings as the remaining teams of two are given the challenge of making edible Japanese gardens and five-tiered millefeuille.

The duos must then draw on their classical training to whip up 24 framboisiers (a raspberry-filled cake), and reinvent the camping favourite s'mores into high-end patisserie. And if that wasn't enough, ever-exacting judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden also task them with creating an 'Artists Impression-themed Showpiece' to act as a canvas for fruit desserts.

Here, Liam, who also serves as a judge on C4 stablemate Junior Bake Off, tells us more...

You've been on board this show for eight series now, Liam. How has it changed over the years?

I think the challenges have got more difficult - I know that's rich coming from me, as I can't do most of them! The show has become slicker, and I also feel the chemistry between myself, Cherish, Benoit and Ellie just gets better and better the more time we spend with each other.

We agree that the challenges seem harder. Surely they can't get trickier than this week's framboisiers and posh s'mores tasks, though?