I’m disappointed to be the first off but I’ve always enjoyed baking and at church I do regular baking demonstrations. I won’t show the congregation how to make a Jaffa cake, I am not going to repeat that experience – I’ll buy them a pack instead.
We had a great night with family and friends watching the first episode and celebrating that I had been part of the Bake Off. I count it as a privilege to have actually got on the show. I baked the Lemon and Orange Drizzle cake, and everyone loved it.
My wife Dorothy encouraged me to apply, we have been married for 47 years so I do take her advice and I submitted the application form never thinking I would hear back and was then delighted to be accepted for the new series. My two children are now grown up and have their own children so they are all very excited to be following the show. ‘My best moment was seeing the tent for the first time in real life. To be on the set and see the location and the crew was exciting and I didn’t feel too intimidated by the cameras at all. Mary was lovely, she supported me when Paul might have given an adverse comment. Mel & Sue were always great and encouraging. Paul liked my flavours, so I am happy to take that away with me.
My worst moment was when Paul held up my Jaffa cake and said that isn’t a Jaffa cake. I was trying to keep a straight face so I didn’t give it away that it was mine. ‘It has been a lovely experience, I really enjoyed it and wouldn’t have missed it for the world. What I want to do in the future is to carry on baking, doing my demonstrations at the Church alongside my job of being a Pastor.
The Bakers are a great bunch and we have become really good friends. I was only there for 48 hours but in that short time we sparked and formed a great bonding and relationship. We all knew what we were facing and helped each other.
Paul said at the end of the episode: ‘It’s very sad, but as I’ve just been saying to Lee now, you are one of the 12 best amateur bakers in the country. You should be very proud of yourself.’