There's drama afoot already on this series of the Great British Bake-Off, after it emerged that the favourite to win the baking show has already had professional training. Even though it was 30 years ago.
Marie Campbell, who has been pegged as a potential winner of the amateur baking contest, was named star baker for her perfect Madeira cake and Black Forest gateau in last week's episode - but the Mail on Sunday are reporting that she trained at the Ecole Escoffier at the Ritz in Paris, specialising in patisserie.
Despite the mild outcry about Marie's baking skills after the story broke, the BBC have fought back, insisting no rules have been broken as she got her training 30 years ago. The show stipulates that any potential GBBO contestants must not have professional catering qualifications acquired within the last ten years - and they cannot have worked full time as a chef, cook or baker.
The BBC said in a statement:
"There are strict criteria to take part in the show and Marie met those criteria. She gained a certificate for one week’s training in Paris in 1984, more than 10 years ago. She has not worked professionally as a baker or chef."
Marie has not commented on the claims - but former GBBO winner Jon Whaite jumped to her defence, telling The Telegraph:
“I think it's a load of fuss over nothing. People naturally 'train' throughout their lives in varying fields of interest; not just in a professional environment, but through self-driven studying, too. People can't just sit at home all day, not improving their skills just in case they one day enter a TV cookery show. Good on her, I say."
We agree with Jon - and we're looking forward to seeing Marie's baking efforts next week!