Software developer Tom became the shock first contestant to leave the 12th series of Great British Bake Off.
His departure from the popular Channel Four baking competition came after his Swiss rolls were deemed “not at all bad” by judge Prue Leith.
And he came a respectable fifth out of the 12 in the technical challenge with a well-baked malt loaf.
In contrast Metropolitan Police detective Amanda came last in the technical challenge and was told her 'surf explosion' cake, which collapsed after judge Paul Hollywood cut it, didn't fulfill the criteria.
It failed to impress because the cake was at the bottom and not the top and Amanda was also told it was “slightly overbaked” and contained too much elderflower liqueur.
Finance manager Jairzeno also made it through despite serving up a plate of runny Swiss roll, which he described as “mortifying."
Baker George also feared his time was up after his mini rolls were described as “pudding not cake."
And Lizzie's lost their cream and caramel because she served them while they were still hot.
Tom, 28, from Kent, was disappointed to leave so early, saying: “It didn’t go to plan at all. I have always been hard on myself, more than I really should be. But I am definitely proud of myself, and I never say that, so that must mean quite a bit.
“My showstopper was a bit of a disaster. I wanted something that would celebrate my love of classical music, so I made a three-tiered lemon and almond sponge cake of a concert hall. The judges said that for an anti-gravity cake it didn’t really defy the laws of gravity.
‘I know it’s hard to go out first and it was short and sweet, but it truly was an experience that I won’t forget.”
He said he had stayed in touch with the other bakers throughout the rest of the competition and beyond. “Being the first to go I was worried that I might feel left out, but we have a WhatsApp group and the bakers have included me all along the way.
‘I think I am fairly shy so I still can’t quite believe that I have been on national television.”
Tom, from Kent, proudly remembers his place as the only boy in his primary school baking club.
He discovered his true passion for baking just four years ago when he made his dad a sticky toffee pudding cake.
Now he bakes several times a week, rustling up everything from pies and quiches to bread.
