Channel 4 ‘accidentally issues warning for younger viewers on Great British Bake Off Halloween special’
Channel 4 reportedly issued an accidental warning on an old Halloween-themed episode of the Great British Bake Off.
The special spooky episode aired in 2022 during the baking show’s 13th series, with the bakers set to making dishes inspired by the holiday.
But according to The Sun, on Channel 4’s streaming service the episode was marked with a guidance message, warning the content wasn’t suitable for younger viewers.
The first Halloween Week show saw the iconic Bake Off tent aptly decorated with skeletons, spiderwebs and balloons.
While judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood tasked the contestants with whipping up apple and pumpkin bakes for them to try.
Channel 4 reportedly issued an accidental warning on an old Halloween-themed episode of the Great British Bake Off (episode pictured)
The special spooky episode aired in 2022 during the baking show’s 13th series, with the bakers set to making dishes inspired by the holiday
The guidance warnings are usually reserved for material that can be potentially harmful or offensive, such as strong language, violence, graphic images and sexual behaviour, with more extensive rules surrounding content for under-18s.
According to Channel 4’s compliance guide, which is based on the recommendations of the Ofcom Code: ‘Paranormal practices which are for entertainment purposes, as opposed to those which purport to be real, can be broadcast before the watershed but not when significant numbers of children are likely to be watching.’
The Sun claims the warning remained in place until they got in touch with broadcaster and it was removed, with Channel 4 insisting it had been an error.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Channel 4 for comment.
It comes after the Great British Bake Off’s spin-off show, An Extra Slice, was hit by backlash this month, as it was accused of sharing a ‘harmful message’.
Following Bread Week, presenters Jo Brand and Tom Allen were joined by guests Jonathan Ross, Ravneet Gill and Josh Pugh to discuss the episode.
However, after poking fun at coelic disease, the show was hit by criticism from both viewers and a leading charity for ‘undermined the seriousness’ of the condition.
Speaking on the show, Jonathan had declared: ‘I’ve never met a loaf I didn’t love’ while Josh echoed he had ‘never met anyone who didn’t like bread’.
But according to The Sun, on Channel 4’s streaming service the episode was marked with a guidance message, warning the content wasn’t suitable for younger viewers
It comes after the Great British Bake Off’s spin-off show, An Extra Slice, was hit by backlash this month, as it was accused of sharing a ‘harmful message’
Following Bread Week, presenters Jo Brand and Tom Allen were joined by guests Jonathan Ross , Ravneet Gill and Josh Pugh to discuss the episode (pictured)
Ravneet had then added: ‘Well I love bread but my Mum’s coeliac so she shouldn’t eat bread, but she still loves it, she still eats it.’
Jo responded: ‘Good for her,’ while Jonathan joked: ‘And good for whoever cleans up after her.’
Since then the charity Coeliac UK has written an open letter, which was also shared on Instagram, to the producers of the show ‘expressing concern’.
The letter, which is signed by chief executive officer Hilary Croft, reads: ‘These comments trivialise coeliac disease and send a harmful message to the public.
‘Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition where the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the gut lining, leading to nutrient malabsorption and a host of potential health complications.
‘Even the smallest crumb of gluten can cause severe symptoms, including debilitating pain, prolonged suffering and even recurrent miscarriage, as long-term health risks such as osteoporosis and, in rare cases, small bowel cancer.
‘It is crucial to emphasis that coeliac disease is not a food preference or an allergy; it is a serious medical condition that requires lifelong adherence to a strict gluten free diet’.
They continued: ‘We are particularly disheartened by Ravneet Gill’s comments given her previous role as a judge on the Junior Bake Off, where she displayed compassion for those that have been diagnosed with coeliac disease.
However, after poking fun at coelic disease, the show was hit by criticism from both viewers and a leading charity for ‘undermined the seriousness’ of the condition
Since then the charity Coeliac UK has written an open letter, which was also shared on Instagram, to the producers of the show ‘expressing concern’
In the caption, the Coeliac UK account said they will be ‘following up with the producers’ of the hit show and requested an ‘on-air apology for the harmful portrayal of the disease’
‘The remarks made during An Extra Slice perpetuate a narrative that dismisses the severity of this condition.
‘They suggest that individuals with coeliac disease should compromise their health for the sake of enjoyment, which undermines the very real challenges they face and ultimately puts their health at risk.
‘Furthermore, the laughter in response to these comments trivilaises the struggles of the 1 in 100 individuals in the UK affected by this condition.
‘It is critical that media representations acknowledge the seriousness of coeliac disease and the physical and mental health implications of adhering to a gluten free diet.
‘Discussions around gluten free diet should promote accurate understanding, respect, and accommodation for dietary needs rather than downplaying their significance.’
The charity added: ‘We are hopeful that this incident will encourage your team to engage in respectful conversations regarding coeliac disease and its impact on individuals and families.’
In the caption of the post, the Coeliac UK account said they will be ‘following up with the producers’ of the hit show and requested an ‘on-air apology for the harmful portrayal of the disease’.
Fans were left disappointed by the show and quickly took to the comments of the letter to share their thoughts and thank the charity.
Fans were left disappointed by the show and quickly took to the comments of the letter to share their thoughts and thank the charity
‘So sad. You wouldn’t make jokes about someone having bowel cancer and having to clean up afterwards; How irresponsible, coeliac disease is serious and you treated like a joke’.
‘Yet again this life threatening and changing disease has been down played by people who do not take time to research and understand.’
‘So frustrating when we are all working so hard to raise awareness of coeliac disease in the right ways. It’s especially frustrating when a programme isn’t even live and was prerecorded as it could have been stopped from being aired.’
‘It is upsetting when programmes like this make a joke of it by implying that a gluten free diet is just a lifestyle choice when in fact those of use who have been diagnosed with coeliac disease have no choice because it can affect our health in so many ways.’
