Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood flies solo as Terry and Karen leave during Spice Week

Paul Hollywood was flying solo as he sent home Karen Wright and Terry Hartill from the Great British Bake Off tent on Tuesday.

The latest episode saw a double elimination after nobody went home last week due to Terry missing the round through illness.

This week, it was Prue Leith who was feeling under the weather as she skipped out on this week’s showstopper round, leaving Hollywood to judge alone and make the final decision.

After struggling with the challenges during the inaugural Spice Week, it was Karen and Terry who said their goodbyes to the competition, both becoming very emotional talking about their exit.

Welling up, Terry explained that baking had helped to fill the void left when he lost his wife.

He said: “There wasn’t anything that filled that void for a very long time so it did give me a focus. It’s been a big help.”

The retired air steward also spoke of his friendship with in-store assistant Karen, saying that he “thinks they will be good friends for a long time”.

Of her exit, Karen said: “It really helped me to leave with Terry, it was bitter sweet of course, and I had no doubt that I was going, I knew I couldn't pull it back this time.

"But to go with a baker that I had grown a bond with was so much easier. We sat together holding hands when they said the verdict."

The 60-year-old vowed to stop baking for a bit, opting to spend some time away in her caravan while Terry,56, promised he wouldn’t give up whipping up sweet treats.

Contestants were tasked with creating a ginger cake for their signature piece, the Middle Eastern pastry Ma'Amoul for the technical challenge, and a chandelier of spiced biscuits for the showstopper.

A soggy cake, oozing Ma'Amoul and a bland showstopper were enough to seal Terry's fate.

Store assistant Karen put "too much booze" in her cake, and made a major mix-up with her Ma'Amoul saw come last in the technical round.

Rahul continued to impress, and was again hailed a "genius" by Hollywood. Manon was also given the honour of a handshake from the judge.

But it was Kim-Joy who was named Star Baker, receiving a Hollywood handshake for her cake, and impressing with her Christmas-themed showstopper.

The Great British Bake Off continues Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.