Bake Off 24 Part Two: a meltingly light and fluffy thread taking us all the way to the final.

[GetSetFake]

The last thread filled up fast in a heated debate about Alison's acrobatic antics. Join us here for the last two episodes.

Whose patisserie will carry them through the semi final and who will experience the frustration of missing out on the final 3? Will anyone fall off a stool, workbench or just trip over their own feet? Will the finalists surpass their previous efforts or will the last showstopper be a series of damp squibs? Not long to find out.

That's a bit harsh, she said it broke and they went and bought her a new chain. The meltdown was because she thought she had lost the pieces which were a hand and foot print of her still born daughter not because the chain had broken.

It's more than a bit harsh! Who wouldn't have been deeply upset at the thought of losing such a precious momento of a lost child? It's actually amazing she kept going for that particular challenge.

Wow, imagine leaving out the absolutely most important bit that the necklace was a momento of her stillborn child.

I'd be in hysterics too thanks

Yes definitely an entirely different scenario(and completely understandable) to someone making a fuss about a broken necklace

Understand the context of the necklace but yesterday’s drama in addition does make her seem more dramatic than most.

Imagine being so shitty about someone being devastated about potentially losing a momento of their dead child.

Completely disagree with you.

Losing an incredibly sentimental, irreplaceable necklace - valid

Being in the semi final of a competition she's dreamed of for forever on national television and making a mistake that you feel could send you home- valida

Completely understand her being distraught about the necklace, no arguing about that.

All of them want to get the final and would be very upset if they made a mistake but not everyone would have been so dramatic.

Would her making good on not continuing have been justifiable?

In lots of ways competing on Bake Off is as much about how you dealt with stress as how you bake. Most winners have been calm and methodical personalities who don't let the stress get to them. Some to the point of not showing a huge amount of personality in the show - Sophie was very focussed, very competent, but not particularly engaging to watch.

I've read several contestants who've said that at this point it's a test of stamina, and several who've said they were relieved to go out as they were just exhausted.

I did feel for Georgie but was also a bit surprised by both her and Illyn seeming to react so badly to stress. I'd have thought health professionals would be so used to pressure this would be a walk in the park for them.

But it would be a very dull programme if they all reacted in the same way. We probably need a few meltdowns and dramas as well as the unflappably competent.

I think the final will be balanced, Christiaan and Dylan seem to be fairly calm under pressure.

But you never know, it’s the final!

Dylan started off looking very strong and seemed very thrown the first time things went wrong for him. But he's had enough things go wrong to learn how to keep going even when it's not turning out as he hoped. So I agree, he is unlikely to fall apart in the final. But anything is possible.

I wonder if Georgie will be able to learn from this week and hold it together for the final.

I remember there was a great baker about 4 or 5 series ago (I think she was called Stephanie) she was a young petite girl with dark hair in a fringe. She had done amazing things all series and then completely buckled in the semi final or final, it was really hard to watch

I did notice how he was calm about having the incorrect number of entremets (emphasis on pronunciation please!). Not sure what he did with the one that fell on the floor!

But yes, let’s see who will hold things together.

I remember her too! I don’t watch Bake Off religiously but I seem to recall that she was the one who did fabulous chocolate cakes. And then it all went badly near the end

I don’t know if anyone else has commented on this, have you noticed that they have stopped doing that cringy skit at the start. Pru and Paul always seemed embarrassed when they took part.

Loved Gill - best exit ever. Gave the cute cameraman a cuddle and nicked a bowl

Alison is really good at calming down stressed bakers - both she and Noel are, actually. I've really warmed to her this season.

I hadn’t noticed but you are right. It was very cringey.

I had a good snigger at the placement of the circles on Prue's top 🍳🍳

Couldn't find a better image quickly online but you get the idea

There have been comments about her necklaces resembling a BDSM accessory but I assume she either doesn't know or doesn't care.

I’ve been away so haven’t had chance to watch Tuesday’s episode yet but am disappointed to hear that Gill’s gone. I liked her.

Excuse my ignorance but do the participants go home between bake days ?

Yes, they film at weekends.

I think when it was on during Covid they all had to stay on site and the filming was done over a shorter time, but generally they just go there for weekends and then go home during the week.

Thanknyou @ChessieFL

Gill was absolutely lovely on Extra Slice last night. I really liked her.

Yes I agree. Gill is a star.

What about Vogue’s lips though? She used to be really pretty.