The Great British Bake Off was a whirlwind, emotional too as it was the last EVER show with the Beeb...
Last night, the Bake off achieved it's highest audience ever! An average of 14 million people tuned in to see Jane, Candice and Andrew battle it out for the title of Great British Bake Off Winner 2016.
Off to a flying start, the signature challenge! The judges asked for a royal inspired meringue tower, all in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen on the year of her 90th birthday.
Candice created a cute little meringue crown to top off her many layers and also incorporated glittered pistachios, mango curd, gold-dusted physalis. All this was rewarded with a Hollywood handshake but what's more Jane received one too, leaving Andrew looking a little heartbroken.This beats the oscars selfie... #GBBOFinal pic.twitter.com/XVwiYXmemS
— Beth🍂🍁🎃 (@bethxjames) 26 October 2016
Never underestimate the importance of a handshake… #GBBO #GBBOFinal pic.twitter.com/AXsn2yt8bK
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 26, 2016
Moving on to the technical and all was still to be played for. The three contestants were asked to prove not just their ability to be imaginative in their baking but also prove their technical abilities with the perfect Victoria sponge, (FYI there were NO INSTRUCTIONS!). All contestants were meticulous with their ingredient measurements but Smyth came out on top with a perfectly weighed, mixed and baked classic cake. Sadly, there was no handshake, however the trophy was still up for grabs going into the showstopper round.
Time was truly of the essence: Jane opted for collared cake despite her disaster the first time, Andrew's chocolate cake featured shards and Candice created some piggy sausage rolls using black peppercorns for eyes and crackling for a whirly tail! Time was up! Uh oh, Jane’s cake was left collarless and Candice overcooked her pastry! Andrew’s pastry revealed soggy bottoms, not want you want to happen in the final, Jane's flavours were missing in her sausage rolls but Candice seems to keep it all together; look, flavour and bake. And of course, she is the winner! Definitely a worthy winner, it was clear to see for the total 14.8 million viewers that turned on just before 9pm. What an emotional ending, for the family and the eyes of the Great British public, too!Such good memories!! ❤️ #GBBO pic.twitter.com/CCcKlPX7Np
— Benjamina (@bakedbybenji) October 27, 2016
This series has dominated TV ratings, with the show occupying every place in the top five most watched programmes of the year so far.
Speaking about her win, Brown said: "When they announced the winner, I almost didn't hear it, and was in complete and utter disbelief. "I was aware of it but I couldn't take it in. Mary [Berry] and Paul [Hollywood] came over and I thought my knees would give way, I was trembling so much."
This feature was adapted from the BBC and The Guardian/The Guardian 2
