The Great
British Bake Off may scrap chocolate week when filming gets underway for the new series. The Channel 4 reality show will soon start work on the upcoming 15th series ahead of its return later this year, but the global cocoa shortage could force producers’ hands. Extreme weather in cocoa-producing countries in West Africa has sent prices soaring due to failing harvests, and Bake Off bosses have a big decision to make. An insider told The Sun : ‘Producers are fairly confident they’ll be able to get their hands on enough cocoa and choccy products for the series. ‘It’s more about tone and continuity. If there really is a dire lack of chocolate by the time this series airs, it’ll seem a bit out-of-sorts to be displaying gooey, chocolatey wares.’ This is particularly true when it comes to fans of the show, which is currently airing its celebrity edition , wanting to recreate their favourite recipes after each episode. They source added: ‘Bosses know that fans like to try and recreate recipes after they have aired too, which could be a problem if the shortage remains. ‘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 axe chocolate week in a mindful move based on how the world may look later this year. Fern Brady: 'I turned down
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cancer ordeal 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 ditch international challenges after backlash 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. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. MORE : Bake Off star remembers anguish of being ‘beaten up at school’ due to homophobia MORE : Grotesque Celebrity Bake Off cake designed after dismembered body part will give you nightmares MORE : Celebrity Bake Off star reveals Danny Dyer had a total ‘breakdown’