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Bonded byBaking Showand friends for life.
She cant get rid of me that easily.
The very last audition occurred just before Britain went into lockdown, so it was on everyones minds.
Everyone was a bit nervy about it.
I spent a few months thinking if the season would be happening or not.
We were sitting around twiddling our thumbs, worried and anxious like the rest of the nation.
Things started to get a little bit better with ingredients.
Did the show send you anything?Luckily, we were all sent bundles of flour and other items.
But finally the day came.
I think all of us were like,Uh, yes, lets do it!
It never crossed my mind not to do it.
The harder part was asking my work to get two months off of work.
What lie did you end up using?I was very vague and just requested to take a sabbatical.
I received some really lovely messages when I was away.
I think my colleagues thought I was really poorly or thought I had a breakdown or something.
I got so many messages like, Are you okay?
It was a relief to tell people and share the excitement.
Nobody told me otherwise.
We were ready to go!
What was the structure like behind the scenes?
We would have two days off after every episode.
Wed normally practice the signature bakes on the first day and the showstopper on the second.
But there was no secrecy with us.
We kept walking around to each other going, What do you think of this?
Can you taste it?
Does this recipe look better?I think that was the loveliest thing everyone was so kind.
I remember during week five I was having a lot of trouble with my showstopper.
This is rubbish.He was like, No, lets do a full puff pastry master class.
Were going to get it right!
I dont think theres ever been an opportunity to do something like that.
You had to do your own washing up, though, which was very sad for me especially.
Because I make a mess.
I keep a tidy and clean home.
But when I start baking, it all goes out the window.
I think that was such a fun bake.
Its become an iconic bake, hasnt it?
It gave people a great laugh amid an otherwise rubbish and tough year.
A lot of people have contacted me about how hard they laughed at it.
At the time I didnt find it funny, to be honest.
I was mortified and thought I was going home.
I was so disappointed, but now I can see the funny side.
It has its charm in its very own way.
I missed the homey bakes from past seasons.
Do you know what I mean?Yeah, I do.
Id say that the challenges have always been formulated to push people out of their comfort zones.
We can all make cupcakes or Victoria sponges at home.
In the past I feel they were very unattainable bakes.
And with the showstoppers, I feel like they were great this year, too.
The jelly art was such fun.
None of us have worked with that before.
So I really enjoyed the mix of the familiar and the challenge.
Those were not very proud moments, but I can see the funny side of them now.
I dont hang my head up high for those.
I think Ive never been more proud in my life than baking my caged tart.
It was neat, tidy, and elegant.
I wasnt able to master it up until that point.
I loved my pineapple cake as well.
I adapted it as a nod to Japanese heritage with a Western palette.
When Paul told me, Thats amazing,that was a very special feeling.
Im always perplexed why ice cream and chocolate challenges continue to be chosen during the summer.
Paul tries to play dumb about it!
Uh, I didnt know it would be so hot.
Buddy, its July.Trust me, we were all thinking the same thing.Really?
!You just have to look back and laugh.
It was uncomfortably hot, but we all got through it.
Even though it was absolute carnage for me and Lottie, you cant do anything but laugh.
It was 98 and 99 degrees at times, but it feels hotter with no fresh air.
Some days they would have to put the sides of the tent down to accommodate the cameras.
Just imagine being in this hot tent with no windows open and hot television lights everywhere.
You have your dress on, camera pack, and a pinny.
You feel like youre melting.
Its the charm of it.
It doesnt get more twee than that.
And American reality shows certainly arent known for their twee.I think thats the other thing, too.
We know how much Americans love the show and we love that.
With us, theres no cash prize in the end.
Its a glass bowl.
Its not not competitive.
Its people you would want to call your friends.
I have to admit, the glass-bowl trophy looked very underwhelming this season.Its a bit nothing, isnt it?
I think they should up the prize a little bit.
What have you learned most about yourself since competing?I struggled a lot with confidence.
Others did, too, to be fair.
Lottie was convinced every week that she was going home so she didnt even unpack.
I bake cakes for my family and friends.
But what Im most proud of is the fact that I kept going.
Being in that heat on my feet all day…
It was really hard work.
Emotionally it was hard, too, being away from family.
Whats next for you?
Would you like to pursue baking full time?I really dont know.
Im back to work at the moment as I have bills to pay like everybody else.
That kind of thing.
It would be great to do some more television work.
I feel so guilty saying that I had a great 2020.
I went onBaking Show,became best friends with Matt Lucas, and then met a Spice Girl.
It doesnt get much better than that, doesnt it?
