A word "consecutive" was thrown around, which I don't think means "parallel to each other" and also, yes, it was supposed to be a leaf. They probably go into the tent with closed eyes so that nature does not invade their heads

Thats true, its a subconscious thing. I just think the editors could help her out a bit and show her with a different expression occasionally. They seem to be focussing in on her pouting more than any other baker. Thats not her fault though, but I can see why it is irritating to people.

Yeah to be fair, if I was to draw a leaf I would make one straight line down the middle, not one followed by another. I think that's why people were thrown off.

When a show is pre-recorded in its entirety, its too late for her to change the things she does without even noticing it... to be honest I do the same, and we all have little ticks that we do without noticing.

If it were filmed on a week by week basis, she may well have toned it down.

I wouldn't expect her to change anything herself, I just mean that the editors could use footage of her not pouting. They aren't doing her any favours by choosing to zoom in on her always doing it. The edit may make it seem like she is doing it more often than she actually does.

No surprise on Star Baker, but I was surprised at who went. It seemed clear to me that Andrew was the worst overall. There were quite a few bad bakes, but Andrew didn't seem to produce anything that would save him come the end - in fact, I thought the comments and/ or editing of the judging of his show-stopper were deliberately designed to justify why he had to go - so when Paul chucked Rav into the mix, it felt contrived, like he had to do that either to create tension, or to spare Andrew's feelings or whatever, but that Andrew would still go.

If they really thought Rav was as bad as Andrew, I wonder if they let him go on a 'count-back'? Rav's been low down the order for a few weeks now, whereas this is Andrew's first bad weekend, so maybe they figured Rav was destined to go if not this week, then probably next, whereas Andrew may well get back on form.

(Go Candice, btw. )

Andrew and Rav's meringues were about on a par. Rav did better in the technical in ranking terms but Paul said there wasn't a great difference between most of them. Both their showstoppers were weakly decorated but I think the principal difference was that Andrew did three different cake mixes whereas Rav only did one.

I am pretty sure at the end of day one/start of day two they said all the women were in contention and had all performed better than the men. I am sure I also remember them praising her citrus meringue, I am sure she was the first one they commented on and that Paul said something like "Benjamina is flying away". When they were reviewing the final show shoppers at that point Benjamina had taken herself out of it with her poor cakes. Mary commented that Candice had made more cake flavours and pulled it off which is why she was in contention, but it was hardly a resounding push for her to win star baker.

Can't wait. They try to hard to be funny and fail miserably.

Is it just me or do Selasi and Benjamina look like a couple? It seems like they really like each other.

Glad Tom came back strongly after a horrible Pumpkin pie. Glad Selasi came back with a BEAUTIFUL showstopper as well. Candice was impressive in the sense that she managed the time well with one extra layer (was that her who kept messing up the time during showstoppers at the beginning of the series?)

Rav just didn't do enough. Glad my gingah boy survived.

Candice everytime I watch this is the obvious Star Baker and winner of the series.

It's not just her baking which is a sweet delight from her nana, but her personality, charisma and her looks. She is the perfect flag bearer for such a "feel good show".

He lives with his girlfriend, who presumably isn't Benjamina.

Scandal brewing

The contestants spend a couple days in a hotel together every weekend, people can make friendships without there being anything further.

I think they act more like siblings - they tease each other constantly, and Benjamina laughed like a drain when Selasi's filling was deemed 'too thick' and was basically hilarious about calling him 'thick'. But they cheer each other on, and seem to have developed a lovely friendship. I don't see it as a romantic connection - they don't flirt in that way IMO. I suspect it's perhaps because they come from similar backgrounds, both are Londoners, and have similar interests. I just love their adorable friendship - it's pretty similar to Nadiya and Tamal's last year - people from similar backgrounds, bonding over a shared love of cakes! Were Selasi single, I'd be shipping them all the way, but he has a girlfriend, and is clearly at a point in his relationship where her mother is giving him her recipes! So yay for platonic male-female friendships - they are possible, you know!

I am cynical, when I hear people talking about their dead relatives looking at them from heaven and such, I think it's fake. If it's so precious to you, leave it private, don't tell everybody. She is dead, isn't she?

It's a a shame because they would look cute as a couple but yeah, good friends can still do

I can't see any problem, many people have a close bond with a relative which continues after their death. If it is someone who encouraged them in an activity like baking and they are now taking part in a baking competition then hardly surprising they will be remembered,

Danny Baker on Extra Slice.... 😂
"You've got the next series here in the studio.... Ooops - they told me not to mention the next series...."

Yes, brilliant. I'm sure he did it deliberately.

Just a knowing smile from Jo in response.

Tom Aikens looked very handsome on ES. BTW they talked a lot about Bake Off on Mock the Week, they were hinting that Dara O'Brien may be interested in C4 show, not sure if they were just pulling his leg. They said Ed Byrne would be a great replacement of Mel and Sue, because he looked like a cross of both of them, which is true And there will be an Indian version of Bake Off with Paul Bollywood

That was so funny.

Danny loved everything he tried

He did! I liked ES this week - the panel all gelled well and Tom Aikens can come and cook for me any time!

Evening all

Evening you Crusty Loafs!

Dessert week - yum!