SWEET THING
Champion Rahul backs new Bake Off contestant Peter as TV smash returns
Bake Off contestant Peter Sawkins has picked up a fan already – in previous winner Rahul Mandal.
The 2018 champ called Peter, from Edinburgh, “so cute” in a message offering his support ahead of the f irst episode, which starts on Tuesday. Making it clear who his f avour i te was, Rahul wrote on Instagram: “Welcome to the family!! Can’t wait to see what you bake!! (And have to say it you are so cute!!!) Good luck!”
The comment raised an eyebrow from fellow Bake Off star Dan Beasley-Harling, who asked “Have you been drinking?!”
Peter, 20, is the youngest contestant in this year’s show. He and 11 other bakers will be trying to impress Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their creations.
An accounting and finance student Peter, 20, grew up on his mum’s home cooking and was inspired to start baking himself by Bake Off having watched every series since he was 12.
“My strengths are time management and planning,” said Peter. “My weaknesses are artistic decoration and bread baking.”
India-born Rahul, 33, delighted with his intricate cake designs and charm. As well as launching his baking career, he still works as an engineering researcher.
Bake Off is back on Tuesday and sees the return of Paul, Prue and Noel Fielding. Matt Lucas makes his debut after replacing host Sandi Toksvig.
The 130-strong cast and crew had to form a bubble in order to film the series – with Paul and Prue describing the set-up as like Glastonbury festival.
Paul said: “We did play rounders a couple of times and a football game on down days, so there was a lot of things going on but the bakers had to keep apart from us. They had a separate dining room and breakfast things.
“It was a bit like Glastonbury because there was the tent in the middle, then you had one area in the hotel, another area of make-up and one with a tennis court.”
JULIE SCRUMPTIOUS Seven Days