Showstopper - Iain leaves the Bake Off tent

COLERAINE baker Iain Ross lost his place on The Great British Bake Off last night.

However the self styled 'Yeastie Boy' said that he was more than satisfied with his performance on the hugely popular Channel 4 reality show.

The software engineer, who now lives in Belfast, became the eighth baker to leave after struggling to impress the judges during the quarter final.

The 29-year-old left at the end of Dessert Week, which saw the remaining bakers take on three dessert-based challenges, including making a Basque-style cheesecake, a gluten-free sponge, and a free-standing trifle as the week's Showstopper.

“I didn't think I would make it this far — I never thought I would make it past the first couple of weeks. So to make it to the quarter-finals is something that I couldn't ever have thought of,” Iain said.

“We have had the best group of bakers. We have made really, really good friends, and we always have a laugh. It's just been fantastic.

“My main takeaway from Bake Off is that I truly love baking, I was starting to stagnate with my bakes and being on Bake Off just reignited my passion and showed me that this is what I love doing in this life.

“Barely anyone in my life is as obsessed with baking as I am, so being around so many people that absolutely love baking is just incredible.”

Yesterday's episode crowned medical student Jasmine Mitchell as the week's Star Baker, while presenter Noel Fielding broke the news to Iain that he would be leaving the tent.

Iain will join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday October 24 on Channel 4 at 8pm.

More on this in next week's paper