Two bakers collapse on Bake Off and one quits in ‘most dramatic episode ever’

The Great British Bake Off might have just had its most dramatic episode ever, with two bakers collapsing in the tent and another quitting the Channel 4 series.

Who knew there could be so much drama during Biscuit Week!

Last night, all of the bakers returned to be judged by Dame Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, as no one was eliminated in week one.

Last week, former university lecturer Jeff, 67, fell ill ahead of the technical, and so spent time recuperating so that he could come back for the second week of the competition.

During the latest episode, Jeff admitted that he still wasn’t feeling on top form, stating: ‘I’m still feeling a bit funny. I’m feeling a bit light-headed, I’m not feeling 100% myself, I’ll do the best I can and work from there.’

As he entered the tent, the other bakers applauded to welcome his return.

However, after beginning the technical challenge of making 12 mint cream biscuits in two hours, Jeff walked out of the tent with a small mug as he said: ‘I’ve had enough. I just can’t do it.’

Co-host Alison Hammond followed the baker out of the tent, giving him a hug and asking if he wanted her to join him, while also consoling him by saying that he’d ‘tried’.

Fellow presenter Noel Fielding soon followed and also gave the contestant a hug, as then explained to the camera that his time in the competition had come to an end.

‘This final round just wasn’t right for me. I really enjoyed it. Everybody’s been wonderful, you’ve got a great group of bakers in there. Alright I didn’t make it very far, but there you go. But it was wonderful so thank you very much,’ he said with a smile.

But that wasn’t the only dramatic event that happened in the episode, as during the showstopper challenge – which saw the participants go about making edible puppet theatres – midwife Illiyin, 31, said that she felt ‘a bit dizzy’.

A member of the crew could be heard calling for a medic to come to her aid, as she laid down on the ground.

The other bakers looked on in shock as Illiyin was placed in the recovery position, and they were informed that she needed privacy.

Once Illiyin got back to her feet, she made light of the situation as medics held her arms at either side, saying: ‘Handshake first episode, fainting the second.’

Giving an update to viewers, Alison said in a voiceover: ‘After fainting Illiyin is still recovering with the medical team.’

Noel then told the other bakers that she was still feeling a ‘bit woozy’, but the judges would still be assessing her showstopper in her absence.

After the Mighty Boosh star had taken Illiyin’s biscuit puppet theatre to be judged, retail assistant Dylan, 20, slipped off his stool onto the floor, prompting gasps.

Getting up, he explained that he’d gone to pick up his water bottle when he fell over, tumbling down to the ground.

‘What the hell is going on?!’ Paul exclaimed, as Dylan laughed, and Andy, 44, quipped: ‘They’re dropping like bloody flies!’

After the very eventful episode, eventually it was decided that Sumayah was the new star baker, and Hazel, 71, had been sent home.