Bake- off denies Sophie fraud claim
Sophie, above right, with fellow fi nalists Kate Lyon and Steven Carter- Bailey and, inset, with her boyfriend David Slattery GREAT British Bake Off fi nalist Sophie Faldo is not being investigated for benefi t fraud, TV bosses said yesterday.
The former Army offi cer was reportedly under suspicion for claiming as a single person while living with her boyfriend David Slattery.
People on benefi ts are able to claim more money if they are single.
A Bake Off spokesman said: “Sophie has recently declared a change in her circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions. A meeting to reassess her situation, scheduled for last Friday, was postponed by her local job centre until next week.
“Any suggestion of benefi t fraud relating to Sophie is categorically untrue.”
Sophie, 33, will go up against Steven Carter- Bailey, 34, and Kate Lyon, 29, in tonight’s highly anticipated fi nal – the fi rst on Channel 4 since the show moved from the BBC. In Ms Faldo’s biography on the programme’s website, it states: “Sophie grew up in Suffolk and now lives in Surrey with her boyfriend David and cat Loki.”
Sophie allegedly lived with David in a shared- house before they moved into a two- bedroom fl at in Surrey. A source claimed that an investigator was looking into her history as a claimant.
Sophie has declined to comment on the allegations, stating: “I am not going to talk about this at all. You need to speak to my agent.”
Ms Faldo has credited her boyfriend with convincing her to apply to be a contestant on the hit baking show.
She said: “I had been looking at going on a course for a while at patisserie college as it’s something I love doing but I couldn’t really afford it. I saw they were accepting applications and before I knew it, David had started applying.”
Rival fi nalist Steven, a marketing executive, said yesterday: “I don’t think my life will ever be normal again.”
He added: “I was too frightened think beyond the week I was in.
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up week after week because I didn’t know how I would take disappointment.
“When I got to the fi nal, the reality hit and I didn’t know what to think.
“I am still amazed I made it but also incredibly proud.”
Health and safety inspector Kate revealed making the fi nal felt like a win.
She said: “Walking in the tent for the last time was great. I didn’t feel the pressure, it was an achievement to get to the fi nal. I just enjoyed the last challenge, had fun and did my best.” to