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The 7 Most Dramatic Ever Moments from the Great British Bake Off

25th August 2016

Bake Off is back, and we couldn’t be more excited. The tent is up, Mary’s dusted off her most exciting jackets, Mel and Sue have found their big book of innuendos, and twelve new bakers are ready to face TV’s silliest cooking competition.

Despite the cheeky comments and lovely cakes, the Great British Bake Off isn’t all fun and games. We take a look at some of the most dramatic and heart-breaking moments the show has brought us so far…

#7. John’s Salt and Sugar Mix-Up

In series three, John Whaite accidentally put salt instead of sugar into his rum babas – and only realised his mistake when Paul Hollywood spat out a mouthful. Despite this disaster in episode one, John went on to win Bake Off!

#6. Frances’ Toppled Biscuits

When Paul and Mary asked the contestants to bake a tower of biscuits in series four, they should have known they’d have some toppling disasters. And when Mel got a bit too involved with Frances’ tower of button-themed biscuits, that’s just what happened. Frances got a bit teary-eyed but she eventually won the competition.

The 7 Most Dramatic Ever Moments from the Great British Bake Off

#5. Rob’s Dropped Cake

The pressure got a bit much for Rob Billington in series two, when he dropped his three-tier genoise sponge on the floor just as he was presenting it to the judges. Paul Hollywood stepped in to help him rescue his bake, and in the end Paul and Mary still had one tier to try.

#4. Dorret’s Melted Gateau

Just 45 minutes into last year’s series, Dorret fell victim to the first baking catastrophe when her black forest gateau turned into chocolate soup the moment she took it out of the tin. As she cried over the melted mousse, Sue Perkins reassured her that “It’s just a cake.” “It’s not just a cake,” Dorret wept. Fans wept with her.

#3. Howard’s Stolen Custard

Fan favourite Howard Middleton was the victim of sabotage in 2013, when he made his favourite crème anglaise during a trifle challenge and left it in the fridge. When he went to retrieve it later, it had gone missing – fellow contestant Deborah Manger had used it in her dessert by mistake. Deborah apologised and Howard was very stoic, but ‘Poor Howard’ trended worldwide.

The 7 Most Dramatic Ever Moments from the Great British Bake Off

#2. John’s Finger Casualty

The goriest moment of Bake Off came in series three, when John Whaite sliced his finger open while he was trying to make a strudel. Although he tried to persevere, there was blood everywhere and he had to sit out for the round while he was treated by a paramedic. In the interests of fairness, Paul and Mary chose not to send any contestant home that week, and John eventually went on to win the competition.

#1. Iain’s Binned Alaska

Last year’s Bake Off drama was so huge it reached Newsnight. (It was a slow week.) When Iain Watters’ baked Alaska was mistakenly taken out of the fridge by fellow contestant Diana Beard, the result was sloppy melted mess. Iain dumped his dessert in the bin and stormed off. The mistake cost him his place in Bake Off, but turned him into an overnight celebrity as #bingate was watched by over 10 million viewers.

Get ready to get baking, and see if you can avoid any kitchen disasters of your own! Drop by WH Smith in Garden Square Shopping Centre for the official Great British Bake Off recipe books and annuals.