The Great British Bake Off was deemed frightening enough to be slapped with a trigger warning over a Halloween-themed episode.
The Channel 4 favourite is regarded as a wholesome family show that airs before the 9pm watershed, but a classic episode from 2022 seems to have been considered potentially triggering and a warning was added to the online instalment.
The Halloween episode from two years ago was deemed “unsuitable for younger viewers,” with a red guidance symbol warning viewers to consider potential triggers.
The Sun reports that the message appeared on the Channel 4 app where the episode was listed, but has since been removed.
Current host Noel Fielding and his 2022 co-host Matt Lucas can be seen dressed in Halloween-inspired outfits in the episode in question, with the baking tent adorned with balloons, fake skeletons and spider webs to mark the scary tradition.
Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood tucked into dishes made from traditional autumnal and Halloween-associated ingredients, such as apples and pumpkins.
A classic episode of Great British Bake Off was given a trigger warning recently
Channel 4
Typically, trigger warning labels are given to shows featuring strong language, violence or nudity but can be added to other genres if they feature a particular language “of the time” which is now considered dated.
The publication reports how senior Tory MP Sir John Hayes commented on the bizarre warning, stating: “Most people find these types of trigger warnings very bizarre.
“The idea that Great British Bake Off could be risky or dangerous is for the birds.”
However, it seems the warning may have been added in error, with The Sun also reporting that bosses deemed it a mistake and removed the symbol.
The Bake Off tent was decorated with Halloween themed items
Channel 4
GB News has contacted Channel 4 for comment. Recent years have seen a few classic shows slapped with the PC warning, causing bewilderment among fans.
Earlier this year, ITV’s Midsomer Murders was given a caution over its themes, which unsurprisingly include murder and death.
While it seems self-explanatory that the long-running murder mystery series could feature such topics, bosses felt the need to reiterate this to potential viewers.
ITV host Lorraine Kelly even slammed the decision in July, commenting on her self-titled chat show: “You know how people get trigger warnings, I know sometimes people have to, of course I understand that… but Midsomer Murders, really, really?”
The episode saw Halloween-themed bakes made for judge Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith
Channel 4
The Scottish presenter continued: “We know [there will be distressing scenes], it’s called Midsomer Murders.
“We know there will be a murder or even more than one! Saying there might be violence in Midsomer Murders is like saying today, watching Wimbledon, there may be bouncing balls!”
It comes not long after acting legend Judi Dench ripped apart trigger warnings on certain shows. Speaking to Radio Times, she admitted she “can see why they exist” before slamming why people choose to go to a theatre performance if they’re “sensitive”.
“But if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theatre, because you could be very shocked,” she continued. “Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way?”
