Musician Stuart Henshall became the first baker to leave the tent following the return of hit BBC1 cookery competition The Great British Bake Off.
The 35-year-old admitted he should have made a black forest gateau “in more of a traditional way” for judge Mary Berry.
“In the show I covered it in Italian meringue and I put beetroot in it, said Henshall, adding: “[Mary] is awesome and I have followed her recipes for years, and Paul’s, but hey, I’m not that traditional myself. They are both inspirational, and my personal heroes – even if they didn’t like my cake!”
Henshall, who denied he had taken an LSD-like drug in his youth following an allegation made in the Sun before the first episode had aired on Wednesday night, said he was disappointed to be the first of the 12 competitors to leave the baking battle.
“My worst moment was definitely being the first to go out, after the excitement of getting there; somebody has to go first and overall it has been a great experience, without a doubt.”
The musician, who learnt to cook watching his parents in the kitchen of the restaurant they owned, said seeing the tent for the first time was his highlight, adding that: “Meeting the other bakers was a joy, it’s a whole family thing, and they are a nice bunch of people.
“The show has redefined me in a way, it’s made me think about what I want to do in life, and look at what opportunities might come my way. I felt disappointed in myself initially after leaving in the first episode, as I felt I didn’t perform as well as I could. I just hope I don’t disappoint people in my life – but it’s onwards and upwards!”
