Great British Bake Off 2017 winner: Sophie Faldo wins Channel 4 competition
She beat Steven Carter-Bailey and Kate Lyon to be crowned winner
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Louise Thomas
Editor
Sophie Faldo has been crowned this year’s Great British Bake Off winner, beating Steven Carter-Bailey, and Kate Lyon.
Despite losing the technical challenge to Steven, Sophie managed to amaze judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood with her impressive showstopper.
For the final bake, the former Royal Artillery officer and stuntwoman created an astounding multi-layered Entremet.
Nicknamed ‘Ode to the honey bee’, the dessert contained blackberry jelly, honey, lemon curd and lavender mousse.
Meanwhile, Steven — who won ‘Star Baker’ more than any other competitor but struggled in the latter moments of the series — and Kate's cakes both impressed but couldn't quite nix Sophie's stunner.
"I just disbelieve it," she said after the result was announced. "The idea of winning was such a minute possibility," she said. "I don't think I'll forget this for as long as I live.
"I have met some brilliant people and I got to the Final. It is beyond anything I have dreamed of. What a privilege.”
Prue and Paul, along with presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, all began to get emotional as the final moments ushered out.
“Can I be honest? I got a little bit emotional there because Sandi got a bit emotional so I walked off quite quickly and said it’s the wind in my eye,” Paul joked, adding how impressed he was by the showstopper.
While a resoundingly well-deserved victory, some viewers were already aware of who would win the competition. Just hours before airing, Prue accidentally Tweeted the winner's name.
The judge wrote: “No one told me judging a #gbbo final would be so emotional. I wanted them all to win. Bravo Sophie.”
Prue quickly apologised, saying moments after the incident that she was “in too much of a state to talk about it,” later Tweeting: “I am so sorry to the fans of the show for my mistake this morning, I am in a different time zone and mortified by my error.”
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