The Great British Bake Off is set for one of its most gripping episodes in a history stretching 15 years, with this evening’s (Tuesday, October 1) biscuit week challenge proving too much for three participants.
In a night of high drama, viewers will witness a baker exiting the competition, another collapsing and yet a third hitting the deck.
As reported by the Mirror, esteemed judge Paul Hollywood is left in disbelief, saying, “What the hell is going on? ” His colleague Prue Leith offers a gentler touch, concernedly asking the fallen contestant: “Are you all right? “.
Although visibly disturbed by their peers’ misfortunes, the remaining bake-off enthusiasts can’t help but let out chortles of disbelief, as Andy says: “They’re dropping like bloody flies!”
Midwife Illyin, 31, who just last episode earned a prized handshake from Hollywood a mere 20 minutes into cake week for her exquisite cinnamon roll loaf, finds herself in dire straits when she begins to feel faint. It prompts another baker to yell: “Got a medic?”
One is duly rushed into the tent and Illyin is put into the recovery position on the floor, from where she can be heard to say: “I just feel dizzy.”
Her fainting episode comes after the fares less well in this week’s signature challenge, which earned her the handshake in last week’s series debut. Tonight she describes the critique of her Viennese sandwiches as “gutting” and admits: “I knew biscuits were a problem.”
Because Illiyin still feels “woozy”, she leaves the tent for further medical attention and is not present to for the judging of her showstopper, with Noel Fielding stepping in. He laughs that the experience is hugely stressful, joking: “I’ve had nightmares about this.”
The two tumbles follow the decision by one baker to quit the tent for good during the technical challenge, stating simply: “I’ve had enough. I’m done.”
Presenter Alison Hammond offers sympathy, telling the quitter: “You tried man. You tried.” Viewers can see all the action from biscuit week when the show kicks off tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm.