Great British Bake Off 2016 epsiode 2: Sue Perkins absent leaving Mel Giedroyc to host biscuit week alone

Sue will be returning next week for more innuendo-laden baking fun

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins host The Great British Bake Off on BBC One (BBC)

The disappearance of Sue is set to be the Squirrelgate of this week’s Great British Bake Off, with Mel Giedroyc left to host alone for the first time in six years.

That’s right, your favourite innuendo-loving duo were sadly separated during filming after Sue Perkins took time off after a family bereavement but luckily, Mel has taken charge on her own before for Sport Relief so the show is in good hands.

Ever the consummate professional, Mel glosses over Sue’s absence like a well-iced cake, simply saying: “Welcome to week two in the Bake Off tent. One baker has gone, they’re not coming back. Sue’s also gone, but she will be back.”

Fans have been reassured that the cheeky presenters will be back for more brilliantly dreadful baking puns next Wednesday and it’s unlikely that the temporary lack of Sue will damage the show’s impressive ratings.

The first episode of the seventh series was watched by a record-breaking 11.2 million viewers last week, with 47.5 per cent of the audience share going to the BBC One hit.

Builder turned pastor Lee Banfield was the first to leave the tent after struggling through the drizzle cake, Jaffa cake and mirror glazed Genoese sponge rounds, while garden designer Jane was crowned star baker over hot new favourite Selasi.

This week’s biscuit-theme will see the contestants tackle Viennese Whirls before attempting to make elaborate gingerbread houses that tell a personal story.

Take at look at the remaining bakers’ blogs and Instagrams and see how you rate their chances of following Nadiya Hussain to be named the next winner.

The Great British Bake Off returns tonight at 8pm.