The Great British Bake Off executive producer Richard McKerrow has admitted that last year's edition of the show was 'not the strongest'.
The 13th series of the baking format drew criticism for complicated tasks and harsh judging, while there was also a furore over 'Mexican Week', which saw hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding don sombreros.
Speaking to The Media Podcast, McKerrow said that he is aware of fan reaction to the series and promised that improvements will be made for the new series, which is due to begin filming in April.
"I'd be the first to hold up our hands and say that I feel that the last series was not our strongest," he conceded. "You've got to take a look at it and go, 'Shit, [are] the challenges too complicated?'
"We're looking very, very, very hard at making sure that it's as good a series as it can be."
He added: "You have to take very, very, very good care of [the show]. So when people are criticising either the challenges have become too complicated or whatever, you know, that's something we take seriously."
McKerrow also confirmed that an announcement on the replacement for Lucas, who has quit due to other work commitments, will be made "in the next few weeks".
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