Bake Off: The Professionals has returned to our television screens with a new presenter, Ellie Taylor, but some fans are concerned about the exploitation of animals.
Viewers of the Channel 4 show were introduced to Meraki Baking Studio bakers Nicoletta and Georgina, who are competing in activities that test their cooking talents in order to be proclaimed champions.
We learned about their puppy yoga interest during a part aimed to let us get to know them better.
We witness the couple doing movements while the little creatures rush about their feet.
Nicoletta and Georgina may be seen practising mindfulness at the current trend – puppy yoga,’ said co-host Liam Charles, 25, in a voiceover.
Some viewers of the baking programme were outraged by this editorial choice, considering ITV had recently conducted an exposé into the practise.
MPs have now been told that the classes are ‘commodifying cute animals for human gain.’
They stated that puppies as young as six months old were refused access to water, sleep, and were forced to labour for hours at a time.After being provided with the facts, the RSPCA and The Kennel Club both advised ITV that the courses should be prohibited.
Could they not have edited out the puppy yoga after seeing all the press coverage about this cruel practice? Disappointing. #GBBO
— Amy 💙 (@geordiegalg) July 4, 2023
@Channel4
With puppy yoga being condemned by professionals and investigated it was a poor decision to show the clip of the contestant on Bake Off The Professionals actually promoting this disgraceful practice on the show very poor judgement indeed, what were you thinking?— Jan Leyland (@JanLeyland) July 4, 2023
In response to the segment, one person wrote: ‘Could they not have edited out the puppy yoga after seeing all the press coverage about this cruel practice? Disappointing.’
‘With puppy yoga being condemned by professionals and investigated it was a poor decision to show the clip of the contestant on Bake Off The Professionals actually promoting this disgraceful practice on the show very poor judgement indeed, what were you thinking?’ added another.
One viewer simply wrote: ‘Oh dear puppy yoga.’
Ellie, 39, was commended for her presenting talents elsewhere on the evening.
She took over for Stacey Solomon and received plaudits for her debut show.
Bake Off: The Professionals airs every Tuesday on Channel 4 at 8pm
