Fans of The Great British Bake Off have raced to defend Tasha after some viewers chastised her for using British Sign Language.
The 27-year-old Bristol participation officer is the series’ first deaf participant, with the presenters learning sign language to converse, while Tasha is accompanied on the programme by her BSL interpreter, Daryl.
On last night’s broadcast, however, Tasha’s decision to sign rather than speak oddly enraged several viewers at home.
This week’s challenge was to make botanically inspired spiced buns and then a dessert, with Tasha creating an elderflower and hibiscus floral showstopper.
However, when it came to describing her dessert to the judges, she stated that she would sign.
‘I’m going to be signing because I don’t feel comfortable pronouncing quite a few words,’ she shared.
Tasha then informed the judges more about her ambitious concept while detailing her 10-layer masterpiece with the help of Daryl.
Tasha signed to the camera when they went to chat with some of the other bakers, as she considered whether or not to lessen the amount of layers on her cake, before opting to get on with the work at hand.
However, as this was occurring, several viewers questioned why she was choosing not to talk, with one person stating that she had ‘confused’ them.
Many others, however, swiftly stepped up to defend Tasha and her freedom to communicate as she saw fit.
‘The sheer ignorance shown regarding Tasha and why she is mostly using BSL this episode is absolutely staggering,’ one person posted on X, formerly Twitter.
‘I implore people who have a similar attitude as this to educate yourself on Deafness/hearing loss before sharing your ill-informed opinion.’
‘Very upsetting to see people criticising Tasha for her decision to sign. Deaf people are entitled to communicate however they want and feel comfortable, and that doesn’t always need to be one way or another. If it bothers you that you can’t understand, learn BS,’ someone else shared.
Another added: ‘If you’re tired/stressed it’s hard not to use your first language. I was so disappointed by people’s reactions.’
Many more also expressed their support and thanked her.
‘Delighted to see Tasha using her preferred communication mode of signing during parts of today’s episode of #GBBO. There are many ways to language and all are valid. Delighted to see more representations of diverse language use on the telly. Thank you for this, Tasha,’ someone shared.
Tasha advanced to the next round of the competition after her elderflower and hibiscus flowery dessert was regarded as ‘heavenly’ by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
Tasha previously stated that seeing Daryl among her Bake Off co-stars was quite upsetting for her.
‘It was also a big moment when Noel introduced not only Alison, but also Daryl as part of the line-up,’ she said.
‘Seeing Daryl up at the front and feeling fully part of the show was a really special moment.’
She went on to explain she couldn’t have competed without him and ‘without the dedication from the show ensuring I had the same access as the other bakers’.
The Great British Bake Off continues Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
