Great British Bake-off: The Final

[StrangerintheNight]

Just typed out a very excitable post only to find the previous thread, on which I was an avid lurker, had exceeded it's capacity. So if you don't mind, I'll start the overflow thread in the lead up to the Grand Final.

I'm pleased for John but really disappointed for Brendan, cos he was my fave.

I think, honestly, John was more TV friendly and that's why he won.

cockypants - not just you! I thought I was being a complete weirdo for getting so emotional.

So sad that it's over! And I would love to go to French pastry school

I LOVE JOHN!!!

Up until a couple of episodes ago, I wanted James to win. Then I switched allegeance (?) to John. Brendan has just got such a smug air about him and James is very 'fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants'. I wouldn't want him treating me if I was ill....just trying things he had never tried before and hoping for the best.....

John is beautiful and I hope he is on the road to being a brilliant patissierre!

I think john benefitted from the fact that there wasn't as much pressure on him. It looked like it was going to be between James and Brendan so John had nothing to lose. James really seemed to struggle with the pressure!

I'm happy it was lovely John! And I liked James saying he felt everyone was a winner. First in Law, won the bake off, off to Pareeee to train - I want to hug him!

I want to visit the girls' market stall, I was well pleased to see that too!

Night all :)

That's true wintera everyone was saying it would be between Brendan and James.

Everyone being me and the people I talk to bore stupid about GBBO

Brendan's quiet emotion set me off.

Ok so how do you ice a fondant fancy properly? Dipping or thickening icing and piping from on high?

Brendan woz robbed. John wasn't at all consistent throughout series (and was a bit of an Eeyore to boot - but not in a good way) and James tried to wing it and it didn't come off this time sadly.

I think John won because he had more of a story over the series. You could tell he'd won from the grin on Sue's face as they were announcing it, they've clearly got on really well. I though he was great, very funny :)

I think we will have to ask mumsnet to sign up Sarah-Jane and Cathryn to do mumsnet academy! They seem like fun.

I was rooting for James, yet expecting Brendan, very, very surprised John won. But as he is the one who actually wants to become a baker and is off to study patisserie, it was a very nice result!

Woohoo! John won! told you so! I think technically his showstopper was more impressive than Brendan's. I definitely did have a few moments where I wanted brendan to win . But well done john and let us all remember to be proud of our kids and let them make their own decisions whether johns family are cowbags or were victims of bad editing.

Another one here who thinks Brendan was robbed. Head and shoulders above the others throughout the series, despite the odd glitch - but John had far more glitches. John younger, prettier, more camera-friendly, better back- stories: the cut finger, the insecurities - gah! Older people never win shows like these ( someone will come on now and list ten people who have...)

Yes - an Eeyore - exactly!

wannabedomesticgoddess You asked if anyone was going to apply for next series - I got all carried away after making my plaited loaf and briefly considered it, but then saw how stressed they all looked in the opening shots of tonight's show and changed my mind!

Whoop whoo - I am so happy for John. What a guy. Brendan was skillfull, but personally, I am not keen on his demeanour. But John, he was just so hungry for it. I am so pleased for him.

I'd love to try it.
But 25 French Fancies would finish me off.
Or the teacakes.

Or you lot talking about me.

Danny's blog post prior to the final made interesting reading... I hope it doesn't go all international and x-factor styley.

I cried when John won and then again when he got a first class degree

Really must go to bed now!

Brendan was so full of himself, marking himself a 10 out of 10 as he could subtract nothing! Pride comes before a fall!

So glad John won, my eyes weeped a little, I think Brendans trouble was that his designs were stuck in the 70s, he wasnt very modern. Reminded me of Matgerette Patten.

That was great. They ARE all winners!

Kumbayaaaaa my Lord, Kumbayaaaaaa!!!

Here you go, the application form alone puts me off!

I agree that Brendan was too 'retro' - the judges liked the younger guys' 'modern twist'. I was so shocked that John won that I missed what the prize is. I think it was just a glass cake stand? In that case I love this show even more than ever (though of course being a contestant on it opens doors).

We're going to really miss GBBO! What with Paul O"Grady's Battersea dogs home programme finishing yesterday and now this, midweek telly has taken a downturn!

But it's supposed to be about baking, not personality! Agree about the datedness - but I would call it 'classic'