Yahoo Lifestyle Great British Bake Off introduces Sign Language interpreter for groundbreaking contestant
The Great British Bake Off has broken new ground in its latest series after introducing a British Sign Language interpreter for contestant Tasha.
The Channel 4 show made its return to screens last night (September 26), introducing viewers to a new group of contestants set on turning out their best bakes in the tent.
Among them was Tasha from Bristol, who is the show's first-ever deaf contestant, and as such the tent welcomed BSL interpreter Daryl to help translate what was being said to her.
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Revealing the interpreter at the start of the episode, co-host Noel Fielding told the bakers: "Also can I introduce you to Daryl, a BSL interpreter for one of the bakers."
Fielding and fellow host Alison Hammond then signed and said the words: "Welcome to the tent."
Tasha later explained how "special" it felt to have a BSL interpreter, recalling: "Seeing Daryl up at the front and feeling fully part of the show was a really special moment.
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"I couldn’t have done it without him and without the dedication from the show ensuring I had the same access as the other bakers."
Meanwhile, during the premiere episode there was also a neat Easter egg for fans during the Technical challenge as Fielding jokingly revealed the truth behind the missing raspberry in the show's opening credits.
The episode also said goodbye to the first baker of the series, who later said they had an "amazing experience", adding they were "feeling the LOVE and will always remember [their] Bake Off journey as the fondest of memories".
The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 in the UK. In the US, it's known as The Great British Baking Show, and streams on Netflix.
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