November 5th 2024.
There's a man who's been the unsung hero of everyone's favorite part of Bake Off, and he's finally being revealed. You may not have seen him on TV, but he's been playing a pivotal role on the show for the past 14 years.
Have you ever wondered who creates those amazing illustrations of the bakes? Well, the talented individual behind them is Tom Hovey, a skilled illustrator from South Wales. He's been a part of Bake Off since its very first episode in 2010, bringing his unique artistic touch to the show.
Tom is the mastermind behind the fantastic artwork that helps the audience understand exactly what the bakers are striving to create, even when their final product falls a bit short. While you may not recognize his face, you'll definitely recognize his work, as it has become a staple feature of the show, providing a much-needed visual explanation for the viewers.
When Tom first started working on Bake Off, the show was still in post-production and yet to air. He recalls doing "grunt work" and making it clear to his bosses that he was an illustrator with no interest in TV work. But fate had other plans for him.
After some discussions, the team realized that there was a missing visual element on the show. They approached Tom with an idea to have the bakers' sketches of their creations featured on the show. Tom was initially signed up for a part-time summer gig, as the show was still small at that time.
Fast forward 14 years, and Bake Off has become a huge success with multiple spin-offs, including Junior Bake Off, Bake Off: The Professionals, and Bake Off Stand Up To Cancer. Tom reflects on the early days, saying, "There was hope that it would become something bigger, and thankfully it did."
Despite his integral role in the show, Tom often finds himself having to explain his niche work to surprised Bake Off fans. He chuckles as he reveals that many people assume he's drawing the bakes before they're even cooked.
In reality, Tom receives photos from the bakers of their completed practice bakes at home. However, in the early days of the show, this method wasn't established yet. Tom explains, "In the early days, people weren't taking photos of everything they did. So there weren't practice photos in the past."
Even now, there are times when the footage and practice images aren't enough, and Tom has to ask the bakers to sketch their intentions for him. He then gets to work, using his artistic license to polish and perfect the illustrations, creating a more polished version of the final bakes.
This can sometimes lead to confusion among viewers, with many wondering why the illustrations look better than the actual bakes. Tom explains, "We're not under the same amount of time pressure as they are. If we were drawing at the same time that they had in the tent with the judges looking over us, then I'm sure they would look pretty much the same!"
As the new season of the show airs, Tom's illustrations once again take center stage, bringing the bakers' creations to life on the page. He admits that he often spends months working on a single illustration and has no idea what the bakes will look like until the rest of the world sees them.
One of the highlights for Tom is when he finally gets to put a face to the name of the bakers he's been drawing for months. He says, "For instance, the first time the photos are released of the bakers, a lot of the time you're just drawing to a name. And it's like putting the cake to the face."
Tom also notes that the bakes throughout the series often have their own unique personalities, adding to the fun and excitement of the show.
After working on the show for over a decade, many wonder if Tom has picked up any baking skills along the way. He admits that he's recently perfected sourdough, but other than that, he has no clue about baking. He's even been asked to judge baking competitions in the past, but he says he has no idea what he's doing.
And while he may not have a sweet tooth, Tom's love for savory dishes makes it easier for him to work on the show. He jokes, "Thank goodness I'm never hungry when drawing."
As the new season of Bake Off continues, we can't wait to see what amazing creations Tom will bring to life on the page. And who knows, maybe one day he'll become a master baker himself. But for now, we're just grateful to have him as the talented illustrator behind our favorite bakes on TV.
If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, make sure to get in touch with The Agency entertainment team. You can email them, call them, or visit their Submit Stuff page. They'd love to hear from you. And don't forget to tune in to The Great British Bake Off every Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
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