Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo slams this week’s showstopper as ‘unrealistic’ as fans claim the tasks are ‘too hard’
GREAT British Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo has slammed this week's showstopper challenge as "unrealistic" as fans claimed the tasks are "too hard".
The 35-year-old baker won the 2017 series of the Channel 4 programme, and has claimed that hopefuls aren't given enough "credit" for their efforts.
Viewers were left devastated when 20-year-old Henry Bird was booted from the competition in Tuesday night's episode after disgusting judge Paul Hollywood with his towering pie showstopper in Pastry Week.
Sophie has now defended Henry, insisting that Paul and his fellow judge Prue Leith expected too much from the bakers.
She said: "Prue said it was a disappointing showstopper challenge, but I think it’s because the judges wouldn’t appreciate the trade off you have to make of making it taste good and look amazing in the time frame.
"It wasn’t unreasonable, just unrealistic.
"I really feel for the bakers as sometimes it’s not just possible and they’re not given enough credit for that."
Fans at home appear to echo her sentiment, flocking to social media at the time to demand justice for Henry.
"He might be Bake Off’s break-out star. But it’s a very sad week for me, as he was one of my favourites."
Paul tore Henry's vertical pie to shreds as he critiqued the showstoppers, moaning: "It's bone dry. All the moisture's come out the hole in the top."
He added: "It's a shame. Do you know what it tastes like? Mince pie."
Henry hopefully asked if the 53-year-old liked Christmas, but Paul replied: "Humbug. The idea's there but not executed to the best of your ability."
As a result, the student missed out on a spot in next week's semi-final, with Steph being crowned Star Baker for the fourth time this series after impressing with her carousel pie.