Bake Off fans fall in love with David O'Doherty after 'comeback'

What did you miss?

Irish comedian David O'Doherty won himself plenty of new fans when he appeared on Sunday's celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off. He might not have possessed much in the way of baking skill, but that didn't stop people hoping he would emerge with the winner's apron.

It's fair to say O'Doherty got off to a bad start with the first few challenges, but he pulled it all back with his Antarctic-themed show stopper. He might not have wowed the judges, but he did wow those watching his ambitious baking at home.

Who, what and why?

O'Doherty set himself a low bar as he walked into the tent, declaring that "I just don't want to be the worst person who's ever been on the show". Anyone who recalls James Acaster's meme-worthy stint on the show will know that was always unlikely.

In the signature challenge, O'Doherty's attempt at making a banoffee-flavoured ice cream roll was "not edible", according to Prue Leith. Paul Hollywood, meanwhile, declared that "the banana filling is quite revolting". His vegan iced rings in the technical challenge weren't any better.

"Everything I make looks a bit like cat food," O'Doherty said as he tried to get to grips with a meringue show stopper in tribute to Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. Hollywood declared his meringue to be "spot on", causing O'Doherty to leave "with a bounce in my step and a song in my soul".

The official Twitter account for Bake Off called O'Doherty's redemption arc "the greatest comeback of Bake Off history", while others wrote about how much they wanted O'Doherty to win.

Unfortunately, O'Doherty didn't beat the odds and emerge victorious. It was sports broadcasting veteran Gabby Logan who won the apron and left the tent triumphant.

The judges loved her meringue show stopper, which was themed around her own biggest fear — a messy house. Logan's success across the three challenges led to her being crowned the winner ahead of dancer Oti Mabuse and comedian Suzi Ruffell.

What else happened on the Celebrity Bake Off?

As always, the Celebrity Bake Off took place in aid of Stand Up to Cancer. Logan explained that she took part in honour of her husband Kenny, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022.

There are two episodes left in the current series of the celebrity edition. This week's episode will feature Dermot O'Leary, Mel B, Fern Brady, and Greg James. Then, the final episode will see Reverend Richard Coles, Sara Cox, Joe Locke, and Adam Hills battle it out.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off returns at 7.40pm on Sunday 7 April on Channel 4.

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