Michael’s tilt at the tent is all thanks to Flora

GREAT British Bake Off hopeful Michael Georgiou was inspired to apply by last year’s star Flora Shedden.

Student Michael, 20, saw how Perthshire woman Flora, also 20, combined her university work with taking part in the biggest show on TV.

And now the Londoner, who’s studying at Durham University, has followed Flora into the Bake Off tent while similarly practising in his digs.

“Seeing someone else young and in the same boat did give me the confidence to apply as she did so well,” admitted Michael, speaking exclusively to The Sunday Post.

“Being in a uni house meant I had to bake around the timings of everyone else.

“I usually had to get up early to use the kitchen or do it late in the evening when everyone had already made their dinner.

“My housemates and uni pals loved anything with chocolate.”

Bake Off’s return to BBC One on Wednesday was an emotional affair with the pressure telling on some contestants who couldn’t hold back the tears.

Sponges were chucked in the bin – and at the tent windows – as they failed to rise properly.

And Michael didn’t escape unscathed. Adding trendy matcha green tea to his Genoise drew pursed lips and scorn from Mary Berry who said she didn’t like the flavour and that the cake tasted of grass.

“The first week passed by without me realising what had actually happened,” he says. “I was incredibly nervous and probably didn’t show the usual non-stop chatter that my family and friends are used to.”

First to be axed was minister Lee Blanfield, 67, but Michael admits he feared his Bake Off dream had been killed off before it began.

“There were several different stages to being selected,” he explains.

“I thought I had blown my chance when I went to take my own bakes to be tested.

“Other people were bringing incredible bakes that I would never have thought to do, whereas I was quite conservative.”

Michael says he’s experienced the mania that surrounds the show.

“The reaction from people at uni has been incredible. All off a sudden staff are now recognising me and people around campus have been coming up to me to talk to me.

“It is such a surreal experience. I have kept my phone off for most of the week as I’ve had so many notifications.”

But he says pals have alerted him to the amazing amount of comments, including many from female fans.

“My friends have been sending me screenshots of what people have been tweeting about me.

“It’s very embarrassing, but I find it funny. Sex symbol? I really don’t think so!” Michael hopes he can follow in the footsteps of Scottish talent Flora, who has landed a lucrative book deal and is in demand for personal appearances and baking

shows.