TV

Bake Off fans in tears as Terry reveals show helped him cope with wife’s death

Contestant opened up after elimination

Great British Bake Off viewers have poured their hearts out to Terry Hartill after the contestant broke down over the loss of his wife.

The baker said the show had helped him cope with grief and had “filled the void”.

Fans flooded social media with messages of love and support for Terry, who was eliminated with Karen on last night’s show.

Paul Hollywood consoles Terry (Credit: Channel 4)

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Fighting back tears, Terry, 56, said in his exit interview: “I said I wouldn’t get upset.

“It’s funny when you’re on your own. My wife and I were very happy and that was a massive loss.

Sandi Toksvig breaks the bad news (Credit: Channel 4)

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“There wasn’t anything to fill the void for a very long time, so it did give me a focus.

“I’ve met some lovely people. I’m sure we’ll keep in touch for a long time.

The bakers say their goodbyes (Credit: Channel 4)

“It’s been a big help and something I’ll remember for a long time.

“I won’t stop baking. I’m very much looking forward to more projects carried out in a bigger time frame.”

The interview broke viewers’ hearts, with fans saying it was the “most emotional moment in TV history”.

Farewell to Terry and Karen (Credit: Channel 4)

Another tweeted: “Oh my god Terry has just reached into my chest & torn my heart out.”

A third suggested Channel 4’s producers could have kept him in the tent to bake every week “just for fun”.

The Daily Mirror has reported that Terry’s wife Joanna, a primary school teacher, died last year aged 52 from cancer.

He had missed the previous week’s Bake Off through illness but the judges and fellow contestants unanimously decided to give him a bye through to Spice Week, a first for the show.

Terry fights back tears (Credit: Channel 4)

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It meant no one was eliminated during his absence, so last night’s episode became a double elimination.

Unfortunately, Terry had a disastrous week, culminating in his Showstopper biscuit chandelier, themed on the 12 Days of Christmas, proving too ambitious and sealing his fate.

* Great British Bake Off continues on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday.

What did you think of Terry’s emotional interview? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor