A Great British Bake Off contestant has confirmed that her showstopper cake contained a hidden nod to a popular fantasy book series, after eagle-eyed viewers spotted the link and sparked a frenzy online.
The new series of the Channel 4 programme began last week, with a fresh batch of contestants aiming to impress Paul Hollywood and new judge Nigella Lawson, who joined the show this year following Prue Leith's exit.
Viewers spot the bookish clue
During Tuesday's (September 22) show, contestants were tasked with making a self-portrait showstopper, after tackling a stout cake signature and an artistic technical challenge. Portuguese baker Clara sent viewers into a frenzy with her creation, which reflected her love of books.
As a self-confessed "fantasy girly", the bottom layer of her cake featured colourful book covers, which corresponded to author Sarah J. Maas' popular series, A Court of Thorns and Roses.
It wasn't long before viewers took to social media to spot the hidden link. One person on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: "I think she's an Acotar fan looking at the colour of the books on the cake." Another wrote on her Instagram post: "Please tell me those are the acotar books."
Clara confirms the nod
Online, someone else said: "I immediately said to my fiancé, 'I know those book colours'." Another shared: "The way I screamed ACOTAR at my TV."
As it wasn't addressed on the programme, viewers were unsure whether the colourings of the books were a coincidence. However, the contestant has since taken to social media to confirm that viewers were correct.
In a TikTok video, she said: "Booktok girlies unite! I wasn't thinking anyone was gonna notice because there were no titles, but I didn't think of the real ones. I didn't think you real ones would get it, and you guys got it."
What's next for Clara
Clara went on to explain that she's read 'everything you can think of' before asking her followers how they were feeling ahead of the next book release in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, which is happening in October.
The Channel 4 star also commented that she's not got anything to read at the moment and is 'struggling a bit'. Although Clara may not have any new fantasy books on her radar, fans can watch her each week on the Channel 4 show, trying to impress Paul and Nigella to stay in the competition.
Last week, no one was sent home following one of the contestants falling ill during the episode. However, tonight (September 29) someone will be the first to leave the tent. The Great British Bake Off continues Tuesdays on Channel 4 from 8pm.
