Soothed by a sponge block of flats

While waiting to watch the procession from the Palace to Westminster Hall ahead of the Queen’s lying-in-state, I got chatting to PC Skinner of the Met – on duty across the barrier – who admitted that after several long shifts ‘all I was good for when I got home last night was Bake

Off ’. Whether viewers were on duty or off, Syabira’s sumptuous Red Velvet cake and Janusz’s showstopping sponge interpretation of his mum’s block of flats in the first episode were so uplifting that I’m sure we’ll all be both entertained and soothed during this sixth season (Tuesday, Ch4, with judges Paul and Prue, above). Its broad fan-base is still far from soggy – the new Prince and Princess of Wales are known to be fans, after all.