From the second it was announced, we knew that the Derry Girls taking part in a Great
British Bake Off special was going to be a recipe for disaster – and it turned out we were not wrong.
The stars of the hit Channel 4 sitcom had a spectacularly calamitous time in the tent on New Year’s Day, as judges Paul
Hollywood and Prue Leith put them through their culinary paces. Cast members Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn and Siobhan McSweeney were first tasked with making an alcohol-laced sharing trifle for their signature challenge, but a few of them ended up downing the booze as they made their creations.
Paul told Siobhan – who plays headmistress Sister Michael – her trifle was “all over the place and “looked like an aquarium”, while Prue conceded it did “look like slime”.Nothing ventured, nothing gained! 🤝😂 #GBBO#DerryGirls@siobhnipic.twitter.com/hXyVPqVUY0— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2020Jamie-Lee – aka Michelle – suffered embarrassment after mixing up the table spoon and teaspoon while measuring out the baking powder during the showstopper round.
She was told her cake, which was shaped like the plane Amelia Earhart landed in Derry in the 1930s, was “as tough as old boots”.1930s Amelia Earhart Cake by @JamieLeeOD. Just plane awesome, although Paul’s burnt tongue may disagree! #GBBO#DerryGirlspic.twitter.com/J8PTPyO17F— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2020Having earlier had a nightmare with a Swiss roll, Nicola’s showstopper didn’t fare much better.
The Clare Devlin actor’s bowler hat cake inspired by the film Cabaret was branded “quite musty”.
Her attempts to grill a sponge also proved to be a point of amusement for viewers. 1930’s Cabaret Cake by @NicolaCoughlan. Liza Minnelli would be proud. #GBBO#DerryGirlspic.twitter.com/IaJSxRZm8U— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2020Craic killer ❎Crack creator ✅@NicolaCoughlan’s adorable Swiss roll homage to Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’. #GBBO#DerryGirlspic.twitter.com/Ga21wgPeN4— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2020Dylan, who plays James, was also told his 1960s camper van lemon cake was “nearly inedible”.
Siobhan made a chocolate raspberry cake in memory of her family camping trips to Cork in the 1980s, which by her own admission was “so weird”.Camping in Cork Cake by @siobhni. Definitely a 1980's aesthetic going on there! #GBBO#DerryGirlspic.twitter.com/FLybC6kY9B— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2020And this being the Derry Girls, there was also plenty of innuendo to be had...The wee English fella knows a spot of Bake Off Innuendo when he hears it! #GBBO#DerryGirls@Djllewellynpic.twitter.com/MVC6QEOWYO— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2020In the end, it was Saoirse-Monica Jackson who was crowned Star Baker, despite never having made a cake before.
She had impressed Paul and Prue with her
Irish cream trifle, decorated with green sugar shamrocks, and her 1960s-inspired showstopper cake, while her salmon and beetroot blinis went down well during the technical.
After the final challenge Nicola said she was “a broken woman”, which to be fair, seemed pretty evident...Do you think I was having a meltdown or nah #GBBOpic.twitter.com/WbtI6KtYmL— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) January 1, 2020Siobhan joked: “I’ve basically ruined the memory of my mother and father, I might not go back in.”
But despite the gang’s unmitigated disaster in the tent, viewers were still calling for second helpings of their antics...One episode of this Derry Girls/Bake Off crossover is nowhere near enough. We need a series please. Where no one goes home. For, like, 10 weeks. #GBBO— Noor (@NooryNoor) January 1, 2020Sister Michael has broken out the champagne. Clare has grilled a sponge. Michelle’s Swiss roll has custard pissing out the sides. James has no clue what he’s doing. The Derry Girls Bake Off is everything I wanted and more. #GBBO— Lynsey James (@Lynsey1991) January 1, 2020After watching #GBBO can we please have a #derrygirls special of the following;- The Chase- Gogglebox- Coach trip- Dancing on Ice- Question Time- Crystal maze- The Apprentice- Rupaul’s Drag Race— Sarah Nicholass (@Sarah_Niks) January 1, 2020The Derry Girls episode of Bake Off is already a contender for best show of 2020, whoever thought of this is a genius #GBBO— chloe (@chloeap_) January 1, 2020After this #GBBO think we need further Derry Girls crossovers. Derry Girls Sewing Bee, Strictly Derry Girls, Child Genius vs Derry Girls and now it's coming to @Channel4 Derry Girls Taskmaster is a absolute must!— Darren Lacey 🏳️🌈 (@dazlarrr) January 1, 2020#DerryGirls doing Bake Off is literally the best thing I have ever seen - @siobhni you’re my hero. #GBBOpic.twitter.com/moCwIfkBCN— Charlotte Winstone (@CharRWinstone) January 2, 2020#DerryGirls#GBBO the crossover we didn't know we needed but the crossover we deserve. It might only be the 1st of January but I'd say it's easily the best programme of 2020 pic.twitter.com/xeRnNGcNFo— Joy Kennedy (@joy_kenn14) January 1, 2020This was the most I’ve laughed in ages. My belly hurt. Ah Jesus. #GBBO#DerryGirlshttps://t.co/Ir0KPsAxT2— Kaz (@kazzani) January 1, 2020The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this year. READ MORE... Nadiya Hussain Overwhelmed After Being Awarded MBE: 'Even My Car Is Crying Tears' 21 Jaw-Dropping TV Moments From 2019 That We Still Can't Quite Get Over The Great British Bake Off Final Well And Truly Put Viewers Through Their Emotional Paces