Great British Bake Off star admits show was 'disaster' as they're sent home

Software Delivery Manager Leighton was the second baker to leave the Great British Bake Off last night. In Week two on the Channel 4 show it was Biscuit week and the bakers kicked off with a slice and bake biscuit signature, before taking on a classic chocolate hobnob technical.

Finally, it was a biscuit time capsule showstopper, as the bakers created their favourite mementos all out of biscuit.

Leighton, admitted to a mixed performance in the tent which led to his exit. He said: “My best moment in the tent was when Paul actually liked my orange slice-and-bake biscuit. I was completely surprised—and absolutely thrilled. It’s not every day you get a nod from Paul Hollywood, so I’ll be holding onto that one!

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"My worst moment? Without a doubt, the chocolate hobnob biscuits. They were a disaster. My feathering looked more like concrete paving slabs than delicate decoration. I knew it wasn’t my finest hour.”

The 59-year-old added: “My worst challenge was definitely the biscuit memory box. It was such a lovely idea in theory—but in practice, it was a race against the clock from the very start. I had all these meaningful memories I wanted to bring to life, but the time just vanished. In the end, it felt like I was throwing biscuits together in a panic rather than telling a story. That dreadful clock got to me again!”

Thankfully it was all a nightmare and Leighton praised the other bakers for rallying round him after Noel delivered the bad news.

He added: “Bake Off isn’t just about the bakes—it’s about the people, the friendships, and the shared experience. I may have left the tent, but I gained a whole new baking family.”

Leighton also paid tribute to the hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding for making him laugh and taking his mind off baking, in both good and bad ways!

He explained: "I nearly died when Noel decided to “help” me with my biscuit showstopper. It needed to cool down, and in true Noel fashion, he said, “Shall I blow you from behind?” I was mortified—and trying to keep a straight face at the same time. Classic Noel. Totally unfiltered and completely brilliant.

"As for Alison—she tried to get me dancing right in the middle of biscuit week’s showstopper. I started to join in (how could you not?), but then I realised I was miles behind on my bake and had to snap back to reality. I would’ve loved to dance more with her."

Originally from Swansea, proud Welshman Leighton has always done things his own way, ignoring anyone that told him ‘boys don’t bake’!

He grew up playing the organ at his local church and now lives in Surrey with his Californian husband Eric and their Irish Terrier, Cilla.

The series continues on Channel 4 next Tuesday and you can stream episodes online too.

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