1 day Ago By [email protected] (Nicola Methven, Dan Laurie)
Gloria Hunniford has opened up about her mysterious absence during the final moments of last night's Celebrity Bake Off. The Loose Women presenter was notably missing when it came time to judge her magician's cake, leading Alison Hammond to comment that she was "not feeling very well". However, the truth behind the 85-year-old star's disappearance was a "terrible fall" she suffered backstage.
As a safety measure, she was whisked away to hospital for a check-up. Speaking to the Mirror, Gloria expressed her disappointment at not being present for the final judging but maintained she had no regrets about participating in the show. "I had a terrible fall at the end of the programme, so I never got to finish it," she said.
Despite the mishap, Gloria was proud of her dice cake, especially as it was her first baking attempt and held sentimental value. "I thought my dice cake looked pretty good! For me, it looked amazing, considering I'd never baked before. "And the theme was inspired by my dad, it was my mother's recipe, which I really liked.
I practiced it at home, and gave it to my son for his birthday, so it really tied in with the family theme. I don't think I would have won, but I was really pleased with it." The TV stalwart has since made a full recovery and has been seen on television numerous times following the episode's recording for Stand Up to Cancer last summer.
While viewers were left puzzled over Gloria's sudden exit, they watched Jim Howick from Ghosts win the Star Baker apron, thanks in part to his impressive drum-kit showstopper, reports the Mirror . She posted on Instagram: "Hi everybody, I just wanted to say how much I really, really enjoyed being on Bake Off. It was fun, it was interesting meeting Paul, it was a great experience - and, not having baked before, it actually taught me quite a lot.
". Gloria then continued: "It was a real shame that I missed being there for the showstopper because, unfortunately, I had a fall and ended up in hospital for some screening - but I was fine. ".
She said: "And I wanted to say as well that I am a great, great supporter not only of the programme, which I adore, but also of Stand Up to Cancer because not only, sadly, did I lose my gorgeous daughter to cancer but last year, very sadly as well, I lost my husband Stephen. So cancer is very foremost in our family in terms of support. And I think that the programme, and what it does through the programme, is absolutely brilliant.
" Fans responded with well-wishes, writing: "To endure the loss of her daughter and husband to cancer is unimaginable. To be transported to the hospital during competition is frustrating. So glad she is doing okay.
Her resilience is amazing. Gloria, you are one tough cookie!" The four contestants, including comedian Jamali Maddix and model Ellie Goldstein, as well as Glorian and Jim, were challenged to recreate their "best kept secret" in cake form for the final round. Viewers watched Gloria dedicate her showstopper to her journalist father's lesser-known talent for magic, explaining: "My dad, although he was a newspaper man by day, was a magician by night.
I'm trying to do my dad justice, I think he'd love to look down and think 'oh my gosh, you're doing that in my memory." However, as viewers eagerly awaited the feedback from judges Paul Hollywood and Caroline Waldegrave, she mysteriously disappeared. Presenter Alison Hammond clarified that Noel Fielding would step in for the judging as Gloria was "not feeling very well", and Paul humorously commented that he resembled "the child-catcher" when he donned the top hat Gloria had used as a prop.
During the show, Gloria also shared some humorous exchanges with Hollywood, at one point questioning him about his tan. "No!" he responded. I've just been to the Maldives.
" And when he described her brandy snaps as "gritty", she made him chuckle by retorting: "A bit like you." The Great British Bake Off is available to catch up on the Channel 4 website.
