Warning: This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of the Great British Bake Off.
Great British Bake Off viewers were left heartbroken after Tuesday night’s episode, when the results of the double-elimination were broken to the contestants.
This year’s series launched with one more contestant in the tent than usual, meaning the threat that two of them could be sent home at the end of a showstopper challenge has been hanging over them since week one.
Well, after a fairly rocky 1920s-inspired week, the day finally came, with Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding delivering the blow that not only would Michelle be bowing out of the show, so would Helena.
Viewers were sad to see the back of both of the amateur bakers, but Helena’s elimination in particular came as a blow to many, who had grown to look forward to her innovative approach to the challenges.
Over the last few weeks, self-professed “goth” Helena had shown some unusual inspirations for her challenges, which included “witches’ fingers” in biscuit week and a monster custard pie inspired by classic B-movies in 1920s week.
When the news of the eliminations was revealed, fans of the show were quick to share their shock, particularly as Helena had won the week’s technical challenge…
In fairness to the judges, 1920s week was always going to be a difficult one to call, as the contestants fluctuated so much in the three challenges set in the episode.
Helena, for example, did win the technical, but the judges complained that her custard pies in the signature bake were too heavily infused with lavender, and were unimpressed with her “vampire’s kiss” cake.
Similarly, Michael and Rosie both had stressful moments in this week’s competition, but managed to turn things around for themselves and stay in the competition an extra week.
After two new themes to this series, Bake Off will return next week with some more traditional dessert-themed challenges.
Find out how the contestants get by on Tuesday 1 October at 8pm on Channel 4.