Bexhill’s Great British Bake Off star: “It’s been one of the highlights of my life”

Linda Rayfield, a 61-year-old retirement-living team leader, struggled to impress the judges during this week’s pastry theme.

On Tuesday’s episode, the remaining eight bakers were tasked with making eight Cornish pasties. In the technical challenge, they were asked to make three raspberry and three salted caramel eclairs, and, for the showstopper challenge, each baker had to make a caged tart.

In the first challenge, judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood were impressed with the flavour of Linda’s pasties. However, on the second challenge, Linda had some difficulties. After three attempts at making the eclairs, she was left with no time to add the filling. Both judges criticised the flavour, with Paul Hollywood describing her eclairs as ‘terrible’.

She was ranked in last place on the technical challenge and left with a lot to do on the final challenge.

Despite opting for a gypsy tart nestled in a colourful rose-water flavoured pastry dome, it was not enough to save her. Despite impressing the judges with her flavours, the cage collapsed and she became the fifth person to leave this year’s show.

Afterwards, she said: “I can’t really be sad. I’ve been like a child at Disney Land really.

“It’s been amazing. One of the highlights of my life.”

Prue Leith described Linda as a ‘very good baker’ but said she had a ‘terrible’ week with the pastry.

Linda added: “I know I can bake. I just haven’t done enough. I am so proud of myself. I am.”

Linda, who won the two technical challenges heading into this week, was the fifth person voted off this year’s Great British Bake Off.

The bakers have now been cut down to seven as they prepare to take on Japanese week, next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.