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Former 'Great British Bake Off' finalist Luis Troyano dies from cancer

Albertina Lloyd
·Contributor
Updated ·3-min read

Watch: Great British Bake Off Finalist Luis Troyano Dies from Oesophageal Cancer at 48

Former Great British Bake Off contestant Luis Troyano has died after a battle with cancer.

The 48-year-old graphic designer was a finalist in the TV baking contest in 2014.

Troyano’s manager said in a statement: “Sadly, my lovely client lost his brave fight against oesophageal cancer last week.

“A fantastic man with a love of baking that saw him get to the finals of GBBO, write a wonderful book, Bake It Great and do so much more. Always in our thoughts.”

Producers of The Great British Bake Off released a statement in tribute to the marketing manager from Cheshire.

It said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Luis Troyano has passed away. It was a huge honour and pleasure to have him in the Bake Off Tent for Series Five. Our condolences and thoughts go out to his friends and family.”

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Luis Troyano, one of the Great British Bake Off finalists receives a personalised Christmas gift hint from his wife as part of Currys PC WorldÕs Spare the Act campaign outside the Arndale centre in Manchester.
Luis Troyano, a Great British Bake Off finalist in 2014, has died aged 48. (PA)

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Though Bake Off moved from BBC to Channel 4 in 2017 it has continued to be made by Love Productions.

A JustGiving page to raise money for charity Macmillan Cancer Support has been set up in his memory.

A statement on the page said: “Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

“This page has been set up for Macmillan Cancer Support but in truth, Luis gave a big thank you to everyone involved in his care. In Luis' own words...

<p>Graphic designer Luis impressed the judges bake in 2014 with his spectacular technical bakes and is all geared up to release his first book Bake It Great soon this year. He also regularly blogs new recipes and has appeared at the BBC Good Food Show. </p>
Luis Troyano competing in 'Bake Off' in 2014 (BBC/Love Productions)

“‘A special thank you to Macmillan Cancer Support, East Cheshire Hospice and the NHS including Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust for trying to save my life and their tireless work to try and eliminate cancer.

“But more importantly a massive thank you to all the amazing professionals who really did try their absolute best for me, showed me absolute compassion and gave me more time than what was seemingly possible. I thank you sincerely.’”

Luis Troyano in the 2014 Bake Off final alongside Richard Burr and Nanacy Birtwhistle. (BBC/Love Productions)
Luis Troyano in the 2014 Bake Off final alongside Richard Burr and Nanacy Birtwhistle. (BBC/Love Productions)

Troyano, from Poynton in Cheshire, took part in the fifth series of The Great British Bake Off when it was still broadcast on the BBC, hosted by Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc and Mary Berry accompanied Paul Hollywood as a judge.

He got to the final alongside Richard Burr and NHS secretary Nancy Birtwhistle, who won the series.

In 2015, Troyano published his own cookbook Bake It Great.

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Many have paid tribute to Troyano on social media, who appears to always have been very friendly to Bake Off fans and fellow food bloggers he met at festivals and events,

Food illustrator Tom Hovey, who draws the cake pictures on Bake Off tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of wonderful baker and lovely man.”

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