Gay Great British Bake Off star Tom Hetherington’s twin brother killed in Afghanistan
The brother of a gay Great British Bake Off star was killed fighting in Afghanistan.
Architect Tom Hetherington, 29, lost his identical twin, Robert, in 2013 while he was serving in the army.
25-year-old Robert was killed after a Taliban explosion hit his armoured vehicle in Helmand province.
Tom is among the new batch of contestants vying for the coveted Bake Off title in tonight’s Channel 4 premiere of the new series.
According to the Daily Star, Tom says his late brother inspired him to work harder.
He said: “With every training session I can hear Robert pushing me to go a little faster, a little harder.
“Completing another marathon will be a testament to the strength I have gained from him and to show the strength he used and showed regularly.”
Private Robert was six weeks into his tour when the hidden explosive in a tunnel killed him, along with Corporal William Savage, 30 and Fusilier Samuel Flint, 21.
An inquest ruled that he had been unlawfully killed, as soldiers were not alerted to insurgent activity picked up by surveillance systems.
Tom, who lives In Edinburgh, is not expected to open up further during the new Bake Off series.
Tom lives in Edinburgh and works as an architect. This means all his bakes should be structurally perfect. #GBBO https://t.co/P6KrVOPnki pic.twitter.com/3DUVYJVCFk
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 22, 2017
Lesbian comic Sandi Toksvig and comedian Noel Fielding front the new series, after they bought the format from the BBC for £75m.
His show bio reveals he is in a relationship with David, his boyfriend, and was taught to bake by his mother.
“The family cherishes recipe books passed down by grandparents from both sides of the family,” reads the biography
“As a true Scot, Tom can often be found making fresh shortbread to welcome friends and family into his home.
“When he’s not baking, Tom loves the great outdoors.
“He enjoys rugby, triathlons, marathons, skiing, horse riding, fresh water swimming and hiking as well as writing and photography.”
Cookery writer Prue Leith replaces beloved judge Mary Berry, who bowed out when the show left the BBC. Chef Paul Hollywood is returning.
Speaking ahead of the new series, Sandi Toksvig OBE said: “It is an extraordinary honour to part of this national treasure of a show.
“Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in show business.
“The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh.
“The only down side is that he has much better dress sense that I do.
“I spend my daytimes on Channel 4 already so it will be a treat to be there in the evenings.”
The Great British Bake Off is on Channel 4 on Tuesday 29 August at 8pm.
