Bake Off hit with yet another surprise absence

From Digital Spy

After last week's shocking Terry-shaped absence, this evening's (September 25) Great British Bake Off took things a step further with yet another surprise disappearance.

As if Spice Week wasn't left-field enough, eh?

Although they had been around for the ginger cake Signature Challenge, and Paul's "delicate" ma'amoul Technical, judge Prue Leith failed to turn up to the tent for the Showstopper.

In an unexpected twist, Paul announced that Prue would not be judging the bakers' attempts at making biscuit chandeliers (yes, really) because she was feeling "under the weather".

Related: You'll never guess where Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith spends Christmas

Not only did viewers have to contend with the – thankfully, temporary – loss of Prue, time was also called on not one but two of our lovely bakers.

And it was all down to Paul and Paul alone.

Before we get on to that, we must reveal this week's champion of spice, who after impressing with their "exquisite" flavours and even earning a Hollywood Handshake, was Kim-Joy.

Congratulations, Kim-Joy! Don't feel too smug about that handshake, though – its value is slowly starting to fall...

In much soggier news, after botching all three rounds, it was time for both crisp fanatic Karen and the ever-delightful Terry to hang up their apron strings after this week's challenges.

Both Karen and Terry failed to impress in the tricksy Technical Challenge, and were pulled up on their "messy" and "bland" bakes – a no-no during Spice Week, we're sure you'll agree.

Hey, at least you left the tent on merit this time, Tel.

The Great British Bake Off continues with Pastry Week next Tuesday (October 2) at 8pm on Channel 4.

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