I’m out but I’m not down, insists Bake-off’s Flo who lost husband

GREAT British Bake Off’s oldest contestant lost her place in the tent last night, but said the show had helped her to overcome her husband’s death.

Retired factory worker Flo Atkins, 71, was put forward by her children to cope with the loss two years ago of her beloved Richard from leukaemia.

The Liverpudlian said she was catapulted from baking for family and friends at home to prime-time national TV – and she loved every minute.

She said: “Since my husband died after a very happy 48-year marriage, Nicola, my daughter, was trying to get me to join all sorts of clubs and I just didn’t want to do it. So they came up with the idea of me going on Bake Off and Nicola applied. I have a wonderful family. They have been there literally every day for me.

“I feel since Bake Off I have blossomed and it has given me the strength to carry on. It has made me a stronger person.

“When Richard died I felt that half of me had gone. I had lost my soul mate, but now I feel I have my confidence back.

“I have had a long journey to get where I am – and to other wives who lose their husband I would like to say it does get better in time. I didn’t think I would make it, but I did. After the rain there is sunshine.”

Flo – who met Richard aged 21 while working at a sausage factory – said: “At the end of the day I am a housewife that makes cakes, pastries and biscuits – that’s my comfort zone.

“Richard probably wouldn’t have wanted me to go through the stress of it. But I know on seeing it he’d have been proud and said ‘well done’.”

Last night viewers saw Siberianborn Julia Chernogorova, 32, crowned star baker for the first time as favourite Steven Carter-Bailey failed in his bid to make it a trio of victories.