Great British Bake Off fans ‘so happy’ as Giuseppe is announced as the winner after tense finale

GIUSEPPE has become the first Italian to be crowned the winner of this year's Great British Bake Off after a tense finale.

GBBO fans were elated as Bristol-based Giuseppe impressed the judges with his performance in the high pressure finale that was one of the closest in the show's history.

The three finalists, Crystelle, Chigs and Giuseppe brought their best baking skills into the final.

The trio entered the final neck-and-neck as they made GBBO history by being the first finalists to have achieved an equal amount of coveted Paul Hollywood handshakes and star baker wins.

Only Crystelle had failed to win a showstopper challenge in the lead-up to the finale, but she didn't let that stop her throwing everything into her last baking efforts inside the famous tent.

They first competed in what appeared to be a simple signature challenge and each put their individual spin on the much-loved carrot cake.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith gave them feedback first telling Crystelle she'd stacked hers too high and it did not look like a traditional carrot cake.

While her 'flavours were balanced' it was 'not the best looking cake' she'd done, according to Paul.

Chigs was told his cake was 'sweet' but too 'solid' and 'stodgy'.

The judges then slammed Giuseppe's carrot cake for being too soft and not looking great, even though it tasted amazing.

"Nobody smashed it... it's not a tragedy there's still a long way to go," Chigs said after the signature challenge.

Paul then shocked the bakers by removing the method for the technical challenge and tasked them the with making 12 Belgian buns with sultanas and lemon curd.

"You're taking the mick?" Chigs said as he looked at the method with only two instructions, which Prue told Paul was "unbelievably cruel".

Paul simply replied: "One of them will get it right."

The bakers rolled their sleeves up as they flew blind into the challenge and hoped they got it right.

"The tension is palpable," Giuseppe admitted.

All three bakers managed to pull of the challenge pretty well with Giuseppe coming third only because his buns were slightly overcooked.

A shocked and ecstatic Crystelle was named the winner of the challenge.

Next up, the bakers had to take on an Alice In Wonderland theme for the showstopper challenge.

Things didn't start well for Giuseppe when his oven door didn't close properly and therefore set him back on time.

But the three managed to finish their showstoppers to great success and they rushed to hug each other before facing the judges' critiques.

Prue and Paul had even critiques for all the bakers after sampling their elaborate creations.

Crystelle was shocked and fought back tears after not realising her focaccia did not cook.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Chigs admitted as the judges went away to deliberate.

The trio faced the judges the next day as host Noel Fielding announced the Giuseppe as the winner.

The Italian looked to be in disbelief as Chigs and Crystelle celebrated by embracing him.

An emotional Giuseppe admitted the win was the perfect way to say 'thank you' to his sick father in Italy after he had taught him everything he knew about baking.

"All I can think about is the reaction I'm going to get from my mum and dad," he said.

"The fact I've done to deserve this comes from his heritage is a the best thank you note I could possibly send.

"He's going through a very hard time health wise and I think this will be a boost."

GBBO fans took to Twitter to express their happiness at his win.

One viewer wrote: "I'M SO HAPPY."

Another added: "Yay congratulations."

And a third commented: "So happy for Giuseppe."