I don't think we can talk about how gross it is that channel 4 is focussing on bakers being unwell and leaving the competition early and fainting mid-show without talking about COVID.
Like I know the style of the show has changed in recent years, with more focus on the drama (RIP Mel and Sue you would never have let this happen) but it is not normal for people to be ill like this.
Bakeoff is filmed in the summer, when seasonal illnesses are usually lower. We used to rarely get someone off for a week but that was it. However, COVID isn't seasonal. For the last few seasons since 2020 this has been very common; contestants and hosts off regularly during the season.
COVID was surging over the summer. I do not believe these things are unrelated.
