Great British Bake Off 2018 contestants panic as heatwave sparks chaos in tent

Production on The Great British Bake Off 2018 has reportedly descended in to mayhem during the UK heatwave, with contestants battling to stop their bakes from MELTING.

The much-loved Channel 4 cookery contest is known for being filmed in tents based near English country homes.

As regular viewers know, the unusual set-up means contestants often have to contend with the weather while working on challenges.

And it seems this year’s batch of brave bakers has had it worse than ever thanks to the prolonged heatwave.

The Sun reports that producers have been frantically trying prevent the soaring heat from disrupting Bake Off’s upcoming ninth series.

Panicking contestants have battled to stop their treats from melting before serving them to judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.

“There were some very anxious moments in the famous white tent, particularly as things approached the showstoppers,” an insider revealed.

“Anything remotely capable of melting was struggling as the temperatures continued to rise.

“There were a few close calls but producers did a fine job at trying to keep everybody away from a literal meltdown.”

According to the BBC, last Thursday (26 July) was the hottest day of the year so far, with a temperature of 35.1C recorded in Surrey.

That is only a few degrees short of the all-time highest temperature in the UK – 38.5C in Faversham in August 2003.

One of Bake Off’s most famous scenes came during the 2014 series, when Iain Watters binned his baked alaska.

The dessert melted after fellow contestant Diana Beard accidentally removed it from the freezer.

The Great British Bake Off is due to return to our screens on Channel 4 next month.

Presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding are back after the broadcaster’s new line-up proved a hit with viewers last year.

C4 bosses are apparently already in talks to extend their Bake Off deal thanks to the huge ratings.

Reports suggest they are also bringing back the kids’ version, Junior Bake Off, previously shown on CBBC.