Great British Bake Off viewers were left fuming on Tuesday night as fan favourite Hermione was eliminated in the semi-final.
The nail-biting Pâtisserie Week saw the 39-year-old accountant battle it out against Laura, Peter and Dave for a spot in the grand final.
But unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be as Hermine fell at the final hurdle, leaving fans devastated as one declared: ‘I absolutely hate you 2020!’
So close: Great British Bake Off viewers were left fuming on Tuesday night as fan favourite Hermione was eliminated in the semi-final
As the four contestants began the the semi-finals, Hermine was expected to do quite well, with Prue Leith telling her: ‘This will be your day.’
But things soon wen’t downhill for the mum-of-one, with Prue later reflecting that Hermine’s performance in the tent that week was ‘so disappointing’.
Taking to Twitter following the result, viewers aired their frustration that Hermine – who had won star baker two weeks in a row – was given the boot.
‘On what planet did Hermine deserve to go?’ fumed one viewer.
Tough week: The nail-biting Pâtisserie Week saw the 39-year-old accountant battle it out against Laura, Peter and Dave for a spot in the grand final
While another remarked: ‘Hermine leaving over Laura is just pure 2020.’
A third raged: ‘I absolutely hate you 2020! Hermine was phenomenal.’
‘Wrong decision by Paul and Prue tonight, heartbroken for my queen and true winner Hermine’, tweeted a fourth.
‘Hermine?!? REALLY?!?!? She has one bad bake and THIS?!? 2020 you still have some nasty surprises left. Hermine was robbed’ ranted a fifth watcher.
Fan favourite: But unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be as Hermine fell at the final hurdle, leaving fans devastated as one declared: ‘I absolutely hate you 2020!’
A further fan moaned: Bake off is a fix – Hermine has one bad bake and she’s out … Unbelievable.’
While another emotional fan simply wrote: ‘I’m crying.’
The signature challenge saw the bakers asked to make 12 Savarins, which is a traditional French cake usually soaked in booze.
And while Peter triumphed (despite not using any alcohol) and earned a handshake from Paul Hollywood, Hermine didn’t fare too well as she ran into some issues and had to start her bake again.
Outrage: Taking to Twitter following the result, viewers aired their frustration that Hermine – who had won star baker two weeks in a row – was given the boot
The delay meant she was running behind and as a consequence, her cakes were undercooked.
The technical challenge, this week set by judge Paul, didn’t go much better as the bakers were tasked with making a Danish cornucopia cake.
The bake proved to be a nightmare challenge for the contestants, with all four of them struggling, despite attempts of encouragement from hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding.
There appeared to be hope for Hermine however as she managed to secure second place, with Peter once again coming out on top.
Shock: Hermine was expected to do quite well, with Prue Leith earlier telling her: ‘This will be your day’
Oh no: But things soon wen’t downhill for the mum-of-one, with Prue later reflecting that Hermine’s performance in the tent that week was ‘so disappointing’
But, the Benin-born baker came unstuck once more in the showstopper challenge, in which they had to create a cube cake consisting of 25 mini cube cakes.
Hermine admitted that she had a last minute change of plans while practicing her creation, explaining that she had only wrote down the recipe she’d be using the night before.
And when it came to the tasting, the judges didn’t seem too impressed, with Paul describing it as ‘stodgy’ and likening it to a ‘rubber ball.’
At the end of the day, Hermine was sadly eliminated from the competition, while Peter was crowned star baker and will join Laura and Dave in next week’s final.
Tough signature: While Peter triumphed and earned a handshake from Paul Hollywood, Hermine didn’t fare too well as she ran into some issues and had to start her bake again
Not so showstopping: The Benin-born baker came unstuck once more in the showstopper challenge, in which they had to create a cube cake consisting of 25 mini cube cakes.
Speaking after her loss, Hermine graciously said: ‘I believe everything has a reason. It was the right time for me.’
She also penned an open letter to her fans which read: ‘What a summer 2020 has been!! When I left my house that Tuesday morning in November 2019 (feels like the 1800s looking back!!!), never did I imagine that I will be filling a GBBO form.
‘Looking back, I am so glad I was encouraged to do so. It has been an absolute privilege to have made it to the tent and to have baked alongside 11 fantastic bakers each with their own strength.
Gracious in defeat: Speaking after her loss, Hermine graciously said: ‘I believe everything has a reason. It was the right time for me’
Who will win? At the end of the day, Hermine was sadly eliminated from the competition, while Peter was crowned star baker and will join Laura and Dave in next week’s final
‘The camaraderie was amazing. The friendship meant that although it was a competition, I always felt I was competing against my better self. Never against the other bakers.
‘I bake from the heart and all I wanted to do was put a smile on the judges face with my bakes and every week as they enjoyed my flavours, it filled my heart with so much joy.’
The grand final of the Great British Bake Off airs Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
Almost over: The grand final of the Great British Bake Off airs Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4
