'The Great British Bake Off' judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith learned sign language to communicate with the show's first ever deaf contestant.
Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith learned sign language to help Bake Off's first deaf contestant
The beloved Channel 4 baking competition is returning for a new series on September 26 and 27-year-old participation officer Tasha had a signer with her in the tent, which prompted the team to make sure they learned so they could make things easier for her during filming.
Prue told Radio Times Magazine: "She had a signer, so we all learnt a bit of sign language.
"Paul was terrific and he learnt a lot. I just about managed to learn how to say 'good luck' and 'well done.' "
Tasha has revealed she actually applied for the show at the last minute after her manager convinced her to give it a go.
She told Channel 4: "My manager urged me to apply and was the one who basically made sure I got the application in (by badgering me on WhatsApp after every application advert at the end of the season 13 episodes)!
"When I had the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the 12, I cried! Daryl (my BSL interpreter) also cried! We were a mess."
Tasha insisted she "didn't say anything that made sense" because she wasn't preparing at all for the news.
She added: "I never thought that it would be me going to the tent!
"I also went on holiday with seven friends the day after finding out and could only tell one of them, so I was absolutely bursting with the secret all week!"
In an emotional moment, Noel Fielding introduced her BSL interpreter Daryl as part of the lineup alongside new co-host Alison Hammond.
She recalled: "Seeing Daryl up at the front and feeling fully part of the show was a really special moment.
"I couldn't have done it without him and without the dedication from the show ensuring I had the same access as the other bakers."
Tagged in Noel Fielding Paul Hollywood Prue Leith