A Great British Bake Off contestant has said she was “really happy” to be the first one eliminated from the series. Danni, a 25-year-old HGV service centre administrator from Dorset, failed to impress the judges with her biscuits, which she could not taste.
First Elimination of the Series
The first elimination of the series happened during biscuit week, where contestants on the Channel 4 baking show were tasked with making American-style cookies, ice gems and a biscuit mosaic. While hairdresser Tom wowed the judges, Danni's bakes left much to be desired.
After her elimination, Danni said: “Thank you so much, it’s been so lovely, it has! Oh my goodness, I am really happy that I was the first one out because I know everyone in there has more skills than me.
“But I think I’ve learned something about myself, which is that in the right circumstances I can make quite a few friends. Finding love in a group of strangers – that’s just beautiful.”
Vegan Baking Challenges
Danni admitted she was not surprised by her elimination and felt the “writing was on the wall”. “Of all the bakers there I was easily the weakest,” she said. “Which isn’t bad at all – it means I have 11 other people to bug about baking questions now whenever I want!!!”
Danni ran into some snags during the first challenge of the week, as she could not taste her own cookies. As the 25-year-old is vegan, she told Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood that she would be presenting her snickerdoodle cookies without testing the dough, as it contained both cream and butter.
This proved to be an issue for Danni, as when Nigella and Paul tasted the cookies, new judge Nigella felt the biscuits had “too much cinnamon and bicarb”, while veteran judge Paul thought they were “powdery”. Nigella remarked: “It’s impossible to know what you are baking if you don’t taste it.”
Previous Week's Medical Exit
Ordinarily, there would have been an elimination last week, in which the bakers had to make cake, but there was not one as Shannon, a 29-year-old project planner from Gloucestershire, had to leave due to illness.
During the showstopper challenge, baker Shannon was sent home on medical advice, with viewers told that she was feeling unwell. Alison said: “As the bakers push to finish their portrait cakes, the tent is missing one. Unwell, Shannon has had to head home.”
Shannon was then seen leaving the tent, still wearing her apron, as she was accompanied by a paramedic. As the remaining bakers continued working on their portrait cakes, they sent love to their competitor.
Shannon has since addressed her exit, during an appearance on spin-off programme, Second Helpings. Hosted by Jon Richardson and Judi Love, the companion show is the replacement of Tom Allen and Jo Brand’s Extra Slice.
The pair were joined by Nigella and Alison, as well as guest Harry Hill, before Shannon joined them. “I’m back, don’t worry, I’m alive,” she joked. Jon asked her: “What was wrong with you?”
Shannon replied: “Nothing you need to worry about.” She went on: “Something very minor, I had to have a little check-up, I was all-clear, it’s all good.” She then added: “I had a bit of a dicky tummy.”
