The Great British Spank-Off?

This probably won't mean much to non-UK members - but currently one of the most popular programmes on British TV is The Great British Bake-Off, in which various amateur cooks compete to demonstrate their baking skills under the eagle eyes of two expert judges, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. PH is fiftyish, broad-shouldered, bearded and quite dishy in a George Clooney-ish kind of way.

According to Elizabeth Day, the TV critic in last Sunday's Observer, PH is "the steely-eyed matinee idol for women of a certain age who secretly want to be spanked for their soggy biscotti."

So ladies - any truth in this?

I am not a lady but i wish to say that i know that T.V. show you talk about.
Here in Holland is is known as whole Holland bakes (roughly translated).

As for PH, i googled the man and if i was a lady of that certain age i would not mind being spanked by him for poor bakery skills

Have no wish for my botty to be ignited by Mr Hollywood, however to paraphrase a certain advert.
"He does make exceedingly good cakes"

"Great British Spank-off" sounds like a insult that's become a term of endearment over time.

I've never seen the show, but the premise has promise. There are a few here in the states like it and though I think they're generally mean-spirited (Gordon Ramsey in particular) the food always looks great. Thanks for sparking an idea, PhilK, you great British spank-off, you. :p

Any minute now, some idiot will make a terrible pun about toasted buns!

Apparently the presenters have had to tone down the innuendo for this series, so I expect the toasted buns gag has already beeb made.

Alan Barr. you are the CHEEKY one who said it. As the French might say TOUCHE ! or TUSHY in good old USA. or the British, Stop 'BUM'ming around. Please forgive me, I couldn't resist the play in your words.

At least we've saved others from being tempted, 6otb! But seriously .... maybe we're looking to the wrong judge? I believe Mary Berry practised cp as a parent, and her implement of choice was (rather appropriately) the butter pat.

"A man who would pun would pick a pocket."

I am that idiot, having written a story called 'Baking Buns'!