GREAT British Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith have broken their silence on the Mexican Week backlash.
Viewers accused the show of cultural appropriation following Mexican Week on the Channel 4 culinary programme.
©Mark Bourdillon/Love ProductioChannel 4 viewers accused the show of cultural appropriation[/caption]
Channel 4The episode saw hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding wear ponchos and sombreros while holding maracas[/caption]
The episode saw hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding wear ponchos and sombreros while holding maracas and making many puns.
The duo joked about not being able to make ‘Juan’ joke about Mexico on the Channel 4 programme.
But, those at home watching didn’t appreciate the episode and slammed the show for using “racist stereotypes”.
Noel said: “I don’t feel like we should make Mexican jokes, because people will get upset,” to which Matt asked: “Not even Juan?”
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During a recent episode of Eater, Paul says he was “gutted” by the backlash as he “loves” Mexico.
He said: “I’d literally come back from Mexico about three weeks before we filmed the episode.
“I spent a month over there with Mexican chefs, working with tacos and enjoying the food in Tijuana and Mexico City and Oaxaca and Cancun.”
He continued: “I was all over the place, and we set the challenges based on what I’d seen there, the challenges were very good, and everyone did a good job.
The Bake off star admitted he was “gutted” and “really upset” about it, while fellow judge Prue explained that the team “never go out to be controversial” as they try to be honest, before he added: “It was quite unfortunate that quite a few people took offence, but we certainly didn’t mean it.”
“As Paul says, the thing about Bake Off is that it absolutely represents inclusivity and diversity and tolerance and togetherness.
“I don’t want to sound sentimental, but the fact is that the vibe of Bake Off is entirely cooperative and encouraging – so the idea that we were set out to insult anybody is ridiculous.”
The Great British Bake Off can be streamed on All 4.
Channel 4The judges have broken their silence on the backlash following the Mexican week theme[/caption] Read More