Eliminated gay Bake Off favourite shares emotional farewell and admits the tent was ‘fabulously harder than I could have imagined’
Rowan was eliminated from the Bake Off after a disappointing Bread Week. (Channel 4)
After the Great British Bake Off said goodbye to Rowan, the eccentric 55-year-old penned a heartfelt farewell letter to his fellow bakers as well as the cast and crew.
Rowan was eliminated from Bake Off Tuesday night (October 6) after failing to impress in the all-important Bread Week.
Once again, Rowan was criticised for aiming too high with his lofty designs – with his oddly phallic pear tree showstopper dubbed “all style, no substance” by judge Paul Hollywood.
Rowan’s Showstopper certainly has a good rise… 😳😳😳 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/7oauDiJqMJ
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 6, 2020
After his Bake Off elimination aired, Rowan released an emotional goodbye note, admitting that it has always been his weakness “to set myself impossibly ambitious goals”.
“Late last year I decided it was time for an adventure, so filled in the Bake Off application and so began an amazing journey – the trip of a lifetime,” Rowan wrote.
“What an extraordinary experience in this most extraordinary of years!
“Although it was fabulously harder work the I could ever have imagined (the in-tent baking is just the tip of a very large iceberg), and it has always been my weakness to set myself impossibly ambitious goals, I have loved every bit of this marvellous opportunity.”
I never once felt that we were competing against one another: our only adversary was the clock!
Rowan continued: “Everyone, from the technical, administrative and publicity teams to the celebrity presenters and judges have been, without exception, absolutely delightful, kind and hugely encouraging.
“As for the other contestants, it has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work alongside such talented and lovely people. I never once felt that we were competing against one another: our only adversary was the clock!
“I am so grateful for the wonderful expert advice, feedback and encouragement from Prue and Paul and for the fun times spent with Noel and Matt who are so kind and lovely.”
“It has always been my weakness to set myself impossibly ambitious goals”
Here’s rapturous Rowan’s letter to all the Bake Off fans. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/vp1j8THC2o— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 6, 2020
Elsewhere in the Bake Off tent this week, Paul Hollywood sparked a minor national furore after asking the contestants to make rainbow coloured bagels.
Explaining the challenge to fellow judge Prue Leith, Hollywood seemingly forgot the rainbow has been a symbol of LGBT+ Pride for decades, saying: “I think the rainbow colours for me, although it originated over in the States, I think it represents the NHS.”
Hollywood was mocked mercilessly by queer Bake Off fans, who’ve already spent a summer despairing over the six-colour Pride flag being adopted by the nation as a symbol of the health service.
The Great British Bake Off continues Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
