Great British Bake Off viewers stunned as baker quits show in dramatic walk-out

New Yorker Jeff walked out of the tent announcing his departure from the show
-Credit: (Image: Channel 4)


Great British Bake Off viewers were left in shock after a contestant quit the show seemingly out of the blue.

Tonight's episode (Tuesday, October 1) marked biscuit week and former university lecturer Jeff made a return to the show after illness saw him forced to sit out the first episode.

His return to the tent was met with cheers from his fellow contestants, but the celebration didn't last long. After complaining of feeling "woozy", Jeff announced he had had enough and stunned viewers with an announcement that he was leaving.

"I’ve had enough. I’m done," he said as he walked off. The camera panned to the other bakers in the tent who were equally as surprised. "He's gone, gone?," asked concerned contestant Mike. "Oh bless him."

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Jeff's exit came as a shock to his fellow bakers -Credit:Channel 4 / Mark Bourdillon

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Jeff made it as far as the grounds before host Alison Hammond embraced him. "Are you alright Jeff?" she asked, as he replied: "I'm done." Hammond said sympathetically: "You tried man. You tried.”

In a later scene, the judges discussed his exit as they announced they "wished him well".

Social media was abuzz as fans shared their surprise at the dramatic turn of events. "Absolute scenes in the #GBBO here, can't believe that's just happened," said one. Another viewer speculated: "Seems a shame someone lost out on a place in the tent over Jeff. Maybe he was genuinely not well, but, It felt like he just didn't want to be there anymore."

"Jeff tried his best and that’s all that matters," said another viewer, as another added: "Really liked Jeff so sad to see him go." One shocked Bake Off fan chimed in with: "Jeff walked out?! Is this our first ever walk out from the competition?!".

According to the Great British Bake Off website, 67-year-old Jeff moved to the UK in 1979 from the Bronx in New York. He learned the basics of baking from his grandmother and great-grandmother when he was a child, but began taking it seriously when his own children were young.

The Great British Bake Off airs each Tuesday from 8pm on Channel 4