Matt Lucas hilariously parodies Boris Johnson in scathing GBBO opening monologue

The Great British Bake Off kicked off its eleventh series with a scathing parody of Boris Johnson.

New host Matt Lucas, who has replaced Sandi Toksvig, donned a messy blonde wig and mercilessly mocked the prime minister's daily press briefings.

There was dithering, contradictions ("bake in a tent, but please don't bake in a tent"), and Johnson's current favourite catchphrase ("common sense"). Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood took on the roles of the government's Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser, while Lucas's co-host Noel Fielding asked an all-important question about scones via Zoom link.

The parody's timing could not have been more perfect: it followed on immediately from a real coronavirus announcement from the prime minister, giving the country the laugh they "needed at that moment".

Lucas was praised for his "genius" impression.

And it was even described as "better than the original".

"Best PM briefing this year."

The Great British Bake Off airs on Thursdays, 8pm, on Channel 4.