Danni becomes first contestant to leave Bake Off

55 minutes ago

Danni said they enjoyed the technical challenges, which were "like a puzzle"

Love Productions/Channel 4/Love Productions/PA Bake-Off promo studio shot of Danni standing in a pink studio holding up a yellow iced cake on a board with one hand. They have shoulder length dark blonde hair and are wearing a long sleeved blouse with a lace collar and a beige apron. — Danni said they enjoyed the technical challenges, which were "like a puzzle"

An HGV service administrator from Dorset has become the first person to leave this year's Great British Bake Off.

Danni was eliminated from the Channel 4 TV series during biscuit week after being told by judge Paul Hollywood their cookies were "powdery".

During the episode, which aired on Tuesday, Danni said they had been unable to taste the cookies because the ingredients included cream and butter and they were vegan.

They said competing on Bake Off gave them "some of the best advice about how to improve something that I love".

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, they said: "It was absolutely fantastic, on and off camera. I was just hyped to be there.

"Some of my favourite parts were the technicals which I was consistently not great on doing but I loved doing them so much... It's like a puzzle."

The 17th Bake Off series began with 12 contestants

Love Productions/Channel 4/Love Productions/PA Twelve contestants pose in the pink Bake Off kitchen — The 17th Bake Off series began with 12 contestants

Reflecting on their time in the tent, Danni said: "I've never been the best with making friends.

"I'm quite an eccentric person and quite a Marmite person.

"Going into it, I wasn't expecting to make friends. I wasn't expecting there to be so many lovely, lovely people.

"It wasn't a competitive environment at all, it's just a bit of fun you are having with your friends."

Hairdresser Tom, from West Yorkshire, was named star baker on Tuesday.

During the episode, bakers made American-style cookies, recreated iced gems and created a "visually striking" biscuit mosaic.

Danni - fourth from the right - is the first to leave the Bake Off tent

Love Productions/Channel 4/Love Productions/PA The 12 Bake Off contestants stand in a line behind the four presenters in the Bake Off kitchen tent — Danni - fourth from the right - is the first to leave the Bake Off tent

Danni explained to Hollywood and fellow judge Nigella Lawson that they were vegan so could not try their own cinnamon "Snickerdoodle" cookies, topped with peanut brittle.

Tasting the bakes, Lawson said the cookies had "too much cinnamon and bicarb", adding: "It's impossible to know what you are baking if you don't taste it."

Following their elimination, Danni said: "I am really happy that I was the first one out because I know everyone in there has more skills than me.

"But I think I've learned something about myself, which is that in the right circumstances I can make quite a few friends.

"Finding love in a group of strangers – that's just beautiful."

They added: "Of all the bakers there, I was easily the weakest, which isn't bad at all.

"It means I have 11 other people to bug about baking questions now whenever I want."