Rowan leaves Bake Off smiling

THE Great British Bake Off lost one of its big characters last night when Rowan Williams failed to rise to the occasion in bread week.

In a comedy put- down, judge Paul Hollywood described the 55- year- old music teacher’s soda bread as “like eating lemon drizzle cake in a sand- storm”.

Rowan’s final ‘ showstopper’ was a tree- shaped effort but when it was dubbed “all style and no substance” he knew there was no way back. Reflecting on his exit, he said: “I feel very content, I have had a wonderful time.

“It’s been exhausting but very rewarding.

“I usually only bake bread for a special occasion, I would say it’s not my baking forte.

“But I felt like I went out on a high in a way because I had really tried my best with the showstopper but of course you are judged overall on all three challenges.” Rowan’s flamboyant appearances won him a big following but he only joined sites such as Facebook and Twitter when he was confirmed on the show.

Rowan, from Worcester, added: “I was a latecomer to social media but now I’m shameless at keeping in touch with everyone.

“I am thrilled that viewers have found some of the programme and me amusing.”