GBBO viewers brand BSL interpreter the ‘unsung hero’ of the series – and joke they want to see him sign ‘soggy bottom’

• Daryl, from Bristol, captured viewers’ hearts on the first episode of GBBO
• READ MORE: The Great British Bake Off 2023 RECAP: What happened in episode 1?

A British Sign Language interpreter appearing on this series of the Great British Bake Off has left a striking impression on viewers who have hailed him an ‘unsung hero’.

Daryl, from Bristol, made his debut on the show in last night’s episode to open the new series, aiding Tasha Stones (also from Bristol), the show’s first ever deaf contestant, as she competes for the accolade of Star Baker.

The pair, who have been working together for years, went through the audition process together – and Tasha has previously revealed they both cried when they found out she had been selected to appear on the series.  

As viewers watched Daryl interpret for Tasha throughout the signature, technical and showstopper challenges, they took to Twitter to praise the Channel 4 show for making accommodations for the 27-year-old.

They also joked they wanted to see him interpret some of the show’s well-known cheeky catchphrases – including ‘soggy bottom’. 

As the new series opened, presenter Noel Fielding introduced Daryl to the other bakers.

In a sweet moment, Noel and Alison signed the words: ‘Welcome to the tent.’

Ahead of the new series, Tasha recalled the moment she and Daryl found out Tasha had made it into the coveted Bake Off tent.

‘When I had the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the 12, I cried. Daryl also cried. We were a mess,’ she said.

In order to make the show run as smoothly as possible, presenters and judges – including newest addition Alison Hammond have learned the basics of British Sign Language.

Daryl, a BSL interpreter from Bristol, captured hearts around the nation after making his debut on GBBO on Tuesday night

Tasha Stones, 27, from Bristol, is GBBO’s first ever deaf contestant and appeared on the show with her interpreter

Viewers took to Twitter after being impressed by Daryl’s skills, and joked they wanted him to stay even if Tasha goes home

However, this proved to be an uphill battle for South African TV chef Prue Leith. While the dame boasts an OBE for her services to food, broadcasting and charity, she admitted: ‘I’m not very good at sign language, but Paul is.’

Channel 4, who took control of the Great British Bake Off after six years with BBC ensured that the Bristol native would not feel isolated among the rest of the cast.

The first episode of the new series, which marked Alison Hammond’s debut as host, tasked bakers with making a vertical layered cake for the signature challenge, an animal-inspired showstopper cake, and a Bake-Off cake for the technical challenge.

While Tasha excelled in the challenges, viewers were distracted by Daryl’s interpretation of British Sign Language and praised the programme for increasing visibility for the deaf community by bringing Daryl and Tasha onto the show this year.

On Twitter, one person wrote: ‘If Tasha goes home can we please just keep Daryl anyway?’

And when Tasha sailed through to the next round, another viewer said: ‘Looks like Daryl is back for another week.’

One viewer said that they thought Daryl was going to be a ‘surprise hit’ from the series – a prophecy which appears to be ringing true already as praise for the interpreter piles in.

Another viewer said: ‘Shout out to Bake Off for making Tasha’s interpreter Daryl feel fully involved, it’s amazing to see deaf representation included so easily.’

And one person said they wanted to extend Daryl’s responsibility, having him on the screen to sign the entire episode.

As the new series gave viewers what they wanted with plenty of farcical innuendo, some people joked they wanted to see how Daryl interpreted such cheeky expressions.

One person wrote: ‘I am very much hoping we see a shot of him signing “so tell me about your beaver” with a straight face.’

Source: Read Full Article