Bake Off host reveals they tried to QUIT on 1st day of job after being ‘shocked’ by show meltdowns and brutal conditions

A HOST of The Great British Bake Off reveals they tried to QUIT the show on the first day of the job over the brutal filming conditions. Mel Giedroyc has admitted that contestants were left in tears over a brutal first day of filming which left her no choice but to speak out. Bake Off’s Mel revealed she almost quit on day one and issued an ultimatum to bosses Credit: How To Fail with Elizabeth Day Podcast/ Youtube Mel was close to walking away from the programme after a chaotic first day of filming Credit: Handout Speaking on the How To Fail podcast, Mel confessed she was on the brink of quitting and eventually raised her concern with production at the end of the first 18-hour day on-set. Looking back on the beginnings of the programme, Mel said: “Day one, series one – I phoned my agent and I said, ‘I want out of this’.” Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Mel admitted production encouraged her to run after contestants that were left in tears in a bid to draw as much out of them as possible. She admitted everything was wanted in real time which led to plenty of chaotic rushing around the tent. Mel admits she felt forced to speak up Credit: How To Fail with Elizabeth Day Podcast/ Youtube She was co-hosting with close pal, Sue Perkins Credit: PA:Press Association Immitating producers shouting, Mel said: “‘They’re having a breakdown! Move the cameras quickly!'” She continued: “There was that kind of vibe and I was really shocked, actually. “I’ve never done this before in my life but it had been an 18 hour shoot and everyone was in tears. “I just thought, ‘I’ve never worked like this before’. Most read in TV “There was a bit of a summit meeting where I spoke up and I just said, ‘this is not the kind of show that we want to make. “‘I don’t like this vibe where everyone is crying and then suddenly they’re crying.” Mel admitted she made it “very clear” to production that change was required in order to make the type of show they were committed to creating. She added: “I’ve never threatened anything like that in my life. “I’m just not that kind of person. “But I felt in that instance I had to say something because it would have been really grim. “And things changed after that day.” Comment now