Yahoo News Former 'Great British Bake Off' finalist Luis Troyano dies from cancer
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.”
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.https://t.co/S61Zgm3Vms
— Anne Kibel (@AKAManagement) November 3, 2020
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.”
Read more: 'Great British Bake Off' Japanese Week under fire for cultural misappropriation
Though Bake Off moved from BBC to Channel 4 in 2017 it has continued to be made by Love Productions.
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. pic.twitter.com/4gLiNBGaUL
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) November 3, 2020
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...
“‘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.’”
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.
Read more: See the most stunning bakes from GBBO Japanese week
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,
So sad to hear of the passing of wonderful baker and lovely man @luistroyano from 2014's Series of #GBBO ✨💛 https://t.co/bEoD0HBmbC
— Tom Hovey (@tomhoveyart) November 3, 2020
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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