Millions of fans of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ will be disappointed to see that co-presenter Sue Perkins is missing from tonight’s episode.

46 year old Perkins has been ever-present in hosting the show alongside her long-term professional partner Mel Giedroyc, 48, for the past six seasons. However, on Wednesday night’s episode (August 31st), her familiar face won’t be there to welcome viewers.

There’s no need to worry though – it’s not as if there’s been a falling-out on set – as the show’s producers have assured fans that she’ll be back next week as usual.

Sue PerkinsSue Perkins will not be presenting Wednesday's episode of 'Great British Bake Off' (Aug 31st)

“Sue wasn't able to join the team in the tent this week, but she's back next week,” a statement from the BBC One show read, as it’s understood that a family bereavement prevented the host from being there for the episode when it was filmed back in April.

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In a preview of the episode, Giedroyc can be seen introducing a clip by herself, breezing over her colleague’s absence by saying: “Welcome to week two in the Bake Off tent. One baker has gone, they’re not coming back. Sue’s also gone, but she will be back.”

However, she will be seen in some pre-recorded parts of the show, as she “discovers the etiquette of dunking biscuits, from Victorian high society right back to Greek survival biscuits”, according to a description of Wednesday’s episode.

The seventh series of the ever-popular show returned last week, with its first episode notching up an astonishing 11.2 million viewers – up by more than a million on the equivalent episode in 2015.

67 year old Lee Banfield was the first contestant to bite the dust last week, with tonight's second episode to focus on biscuits.

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