Great British Bake Off youngster Flora admits feeling ‘inexperienced’ as she

It was a competitive semi-final, with Flora leaving the tent despite coming first in the technical challenge.

But her showstopper chocolate centrepiece, a cocoa carousel with chocolate and pecan shortbread horses, fell flat – actually collapsing as it was sliced, leaving the judges unimpressed.

“I do feel sorry for Flora because she’s worked her socks off and I would honestly have thought that getting first place in the technical challenge in the semi-final would have saved her”. Tamal and Flora did really well under the circumstances, but it was the single tear falling down Nadiya’s cheek that had the whole country wanting to give her a giant group hug. “I should probably be just concentrating on a tart and that’s it, and not venturing into other minefields – but I always do”.

Nadiya Jamir Hussain will win the Great British Bake Off, according to bookies. “There’s a few of us who have put up displays to show our support”, she said. She’s awesome, Flora. I keep thinking about what I was doing at 19.

Flora seemed to lose her nerve as her normally immaculately finishes were replaced with the ‘messiest piping I’ve ever done in my life’.

He added that her perceived “poshness” – Miss Shedden has mentioned having an Aga at home – could also benefit her. ‘It will make her stand out, ‘ he said. Flora comes out on top and Nadiya slops in at the bottom, but they are all so close, I don’t suppose this will make much of a difference to their positions going into showstopper day. “That was quite a good comment to get from him”.

The second series to air on the BBC’s flagship channel, the competitive baking show has seen huge success in two years since it moved from BBC Two.

“I never bothered watching Bake Off before but I started watching because of Flora”.

There is no room for error for the remaining bakers – Ian, Flora, Nadiya and Tamal – with a place in the final at stake.

I know I’m starting to sound like a scratched record but yet again, Nadiya’s flavours were working for me.

Alexandra Balzaretti, Commercial Controller at Cake Angels told The Daily Mirror: “These new findings show the nation’s love for Mary, but more importantly highlight the sheer power of the Bake Off”.