PIPPA MIDDLEHURST

What were your fears going into the final? The pressure is really intense. I am terrified my cooking will go wrong, but I was terrified of that every week! Why should you win? I think all of the finalists Apart from my undercooked chicken in my sharing feast, I remain embarrassed with my ginger cake in the semi-final, which resulted in something that would pass for a brick. What is Mary Berry like? Mary is as lovely as I had in my mind: warm, encouraging but with a no-nonsense flavour. She judged with a twinkle and heart.

An accompanying book, with recipes by Jordan Bourke (BBC Books £25), is out now.