Gogglebox is back for another season and its first episode featured a cameo from a locally famous cake that has got the whole city talking this morning.
Stars Ellie and Izzi had a new living room to show off on the first episode of the show's new season and were also filmed tucking into some of Headingley's most expensive (and famous) cake.
When the new season's first episode began, the pair were pictured with quite a large selection of cakes and other sweet treats in front of them - all seemingly wrapped in the same Get Baked packaging.
Image: Channel 4
Called 'Bruce' the £9 a slice, 12-layer chocolate cake has garnered quite the reputation in Leeds since the city's viral Get Baked brand was revived earlier this year.
Its name references the young lad in Matilda who is force-fed a similar confection in front of the whole school as punishment for having been caught eating the Trunchbull's own personal stash earlier that day.
Headingley bakery Get Baked has made quite a lot of noise in the city lately, none more so than with this gargantuan cake: which combines twelve thin layers of chocolate sponge with slathers of thick, chocolate icing.
Image: Get Baked
Weighing in at 800g for just a slice, it is heavier than a full chocolate fudge cake from a supermarket - which typically weighs in at around 700g.
Justifying the '£9 a slice' price on their social media, the team said:
"Please remember, if you think £10 is extortionate for a slice of cake, just don’t buy it.
"All of our pies represent sensational value for money at £5 a slice, as do our brownies at £3.50 and cookies at £2.50 respectively.
"The plan here, is that by 2024, Bruce comes in two halves, and it’s £70 per half.
Image: Get Baked
"Done and done."
Whilst some might roll their eyes at the idea of paying nearly £10 for a slice of cake, as the Get Baked team admits themselves that this is not any old slice. It's a Bruce slice.
Spotting the cake on the show last night, they wrote on Facebook: "Yes, that was Bruce on Gogglebox.
"Big, sexy, famous b*****d."
We expect there will be some extra-long queues at the bakery this week. Find them here.
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring
Clementine Hall
The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.
We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.
The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.
The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.
The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."
The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.
Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lolais a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."
Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."
The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.
Georgina Pellant -
20th September 2021 
