multibeautiful

Formal portrait of Liam.


Liam on Bake Off last year.

I have discovered that Liam Charles, who finished fifth last year on Bake Off, is now co-hosting Bake Off: The Professionals, and the show just got 1000% more watchable for me. Look at his faaaace! He’s so goofy and adorable on camera, and equally lovable in the interview linked below.

Interview with Liam in The Guardian newspaper, from which these photos were taken.

The new series of the Great British Bake Off has begun airing in the UK, and the entire internet agrees that the hottest contestant by far is City banker (I know, boo hiss, but LOOK AT HIM), Selasi. He won the first technical challenge and looks set to produce some of the most gorgeous bakes of the contest.

To quote Twitter user saarahwaalker: "Paul well fancies Selasi. Everyone in that tent fancies Selasi. Everyone in the bloody world fancies Selasi."

This is 100% true. Observe:

So for those of you who aren’t aware, the new series of the Great British Bake Off started a couple of weeks ago.

Bake Off has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s based on an unbelievably tired premise - the twelve contestants are eliminated one by one on a weekly basis until three are left - and so gently twee it could open its own independent boutique in Muswell Hill. It’s judged by a man with orange skin (Paul Hollywood) and a woman who ranks up there with Helen Mirren and the Queen in redefining “spectacularly well-preserved” (Mary Berry, now in her eighties). It’s presented by pair of comedians (Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc). Sue is one of the most high-profile women in the media and along with (inter)national treasure Sandi Toksvig, is a lesbian.

The viewing figures for Bake Off have gone from 2.8 million in 2010 to 10.1 million in 2015. That’s a sixth of the UK’s population.

It is also quietly promoting diversity on television in the UK. Amongst the twelve contestants this year, “only” eight are white. The four non-white contestants are:

Nadiya

Engaging, endearing and with the best facial expressions whilst being judged. She’s SO CUTE.

( +3, Alvin and Dorret and Tamal )

Heading in to the third week, all four of these contestants are still in the game. I rank Tamal’s chances the highest of being in the final three. Who’s your favourite?

More about the contestants, with pictures. Link goes to The Guardian article from which these images were taken.

[YouTube video, 06:52, featuring a number of master ceramicists creating beautiful things in their studios.]

Featured ceramicists are:
Lee Hyang-Gu
Kim Seong-Tae
You Yong-Chul
Choi In-Gyu
Jo Se-Yeon

Doesn't need the sound, although the music adds to the soothing atmosphere!

I was looking for a recording of this duet to play for my 15-month-old daughter on my phone and I came across this gorgeous version, sung by Korean sopranos Sumi Jo and Ah-Kyung Lee. Six minutes and forty-one seconds of aural bliss.

An interview with Riz Ahmed, actor and rapper, was published in the Guardian Weekend this Saturday: here. Reading it was...an experience I thought might be of interest in this community. If you feel you can cope with potentially triggery material, click the cut below. Otherwise, skip to the end for the photos.

( Caution: contains microaggression )

( Click here for pictures of Mr Ahmed. )

British track-and-field athletes took three Olympic gold medals last night. I watched with tears in my eyes as Jessica Ennis, a mixed-race Jamaican-British heptathlete, and Mo Farah, a Muslim Somali-British runner, became Olympic champions. I've posted about each of them separately, but I think today they deserve another post.

Look at her smile! Isn't it glorious?


( +2 )

Mo Farah hugging his daughter, who ran onto the track after he won the 10000 m race.


( +3 )

[The couple jump the broom at their wedding ceremony.]

These two women are the first lesbian couple to be married in Jamaica. You can read their story at Ebony and view the lovely photo set here.

( Nicole Y. Dennis-Benn on jumping the broom. )