David Atherton has been crowned the winner of this year’s Great British Bake Off.
The Health Advisor saw off stiff competition from four-time star baker Steph Blackwell and the steady talent of Alice Fevronia, who were both left in tears during a stressful and emotional final
David stunned Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with his showstopper, and was the only contestant to present a serviceable soufflé during Tuesday’s night’s climax to the Channel 4 show.
Steph was reduced to tears, saying “I just feel a bit stupid” after her own effort collapsed into liquid, and was given a hug by Paul after her showstopper was badly received.
Alice was also in tears at the thought that her family might not arrive to see her finish the show.
Despite being the only finalist to have never been crowned Star Baker on this series, David remained stress-free in the final.
The three finalists were asked to craft a chocolate cake to a professional standard in the signature challenge.
David’s rune and Armanganc creation was deemed “too boozy”, Alice was praised for her flavours, and although favourite Steph impressed, she struggled in the technical, and was in tears after failing to set her soufflés.
Host Noel Fielding said her sudden dip in form in the final was “heartbreaking”.
Alice was also emotional, fearing her parents would not make it over from Ireland to see her.
David was named the winner of the challenge, and continued to impress with his picnic basket showstopper, with classic snacks created from cake, biscuit, and bread.
After crowning David the winner, Paul told him: “Well done mate, you smashed it.”
After being crowned winner, David said: “It feels so good. It’s been weeks and weeks of intensity and fatigue and then to finish it with this.
“I saved the best ’til last, and it’s the best feeling in the world.
“Honestly it was never in my mind that I thought I could win this, I have had daydreams of winning Bake Off for about 10 years.
“I really enjoyed every episode in the tent and I never felt that I was flaky throughout the whole series, although I did feel very nervous at the final which was unlike me.
“I felt the pressure in the tent but I just didn’t get stressed, I did feel nervous but I didn’t let it get to me. I wanted to enjoy myself rather than having any negative feelings.”
Paul added: “David came in as probably the underdog into the final knowing that twice Alice has won [Star Baker] and Steph won four times.
“He has gone from nothing to win the whole thing; it’s priceless, absolutely priceless, he should be really proud of himself. I think he has done an amazing job.”
Prue Leith said: “David is an extraordinary baker and I am so full of admiration for him. Right from the beginning he has never lost his temper he has always been very neat and organised.
“It was really a question of the tortoise catching the hare, he just steadily went on and won.”
David and all the bakers will join Jo Brand on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on November 1 at 8 pm on Channel 4.