'Great British Bake Off' helping show star Terry Hartill cope with grief over wife's death

The family of Terry Hartill, artist and Great British Bake Off contestant, say that appearing on the show is helping him deal with the grief of losing his wife.

Terry lost his wife Joanna, a primary school headteacher, to cancer last year, and has struggled ever since, reports The Daily Mirror.

His mother-in-law Marion said that Joanna was the ‘biggest fan’ of Terry’s baking.

“I really hope he wins and my daughter would want that too,” she went on.

“She would love that he’s in the show. She would be very, very proud of him.

“They had been such a happy couple and married for so long and when we lost her. Terry was heartbroken.

“But the show is something nice for him to do and it’s helping him cope with his grief.

“He’s always been into his baking, he’s very creative, and was always making cakes for birthdays, Christmas and all occasions.

“Jo never liked baking, that was his job, but she loved eating his cakes. He’ll be cooking his heart out for her.”

54-year-old Terry has proved a hit on the show with his artistic take on baking, though he’s not always hit the spot with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

Though he’s snared the Star Baker trophy, he sent the show into turmoil when he was ill last week, meaning that no baker left the show.

He’ll be back on screens on Channel 4 tomorrow night.

Read more
Thrilling Bodyguard finale reveals who killed Julia Montague
Doctor Who’s Whittaker: I hope we stop seeing women as a genre
Pete Wicks called out by Celebrity Island viewers