Great British Bake Off: Rowan is eliminated after failing to impress in Bread Week

Rowan has become the third contestant to be eliminated from The Great British Bake Off 2020.

After scraping through last week – to the disdain of many fans – the music teacher bid farewell to the tent after failing to impress with his ‘soft and wrinkly’ rainbow bagels, ‘sand-like’ soda breads and a ‘bland’ showstopper.

Rowan was ever-gracious as he said goodbye to the remaining bakers, adding: ‘I feel very content really I’ve had a wonderful time, it’s exhausting but very rewarding.’

He’s gone! Rowan has become the third contestant to be eliminated from The Great British Bake Off 2020

Rowan struggled to win over Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood during a difficult Bread Week, and once again struggled to meet his overzealous idea in the offered time.

Prue added: ‘Rowan has been such a character and I am sorry to see him go because he is so ambitious and so imaginative and he put so much thought into his baking.’

Reflecting on his time in Bake Off – Rowan told Radio Times: ‘I started off fairly confident in bread week, I thought it was going to be all right. 

Oh dear: After scraping through last week, the music teacher bid farewell to the tent after failing to impress with his ‘soft and wrinkly’ rainbow bagels and ‘sand-like’ soda bread (above)

Exit: Rowan was ever-gracious as he said goodbye to the remaining bakers, adding: ‘I feel very content really I’ve had a wonderful time, it’s exhausting but very rewarding’

‘But the soda breads just didn’t quite cut it. Well, the technical started off bang on, they were as perfect as they could be, but when I had to put them in the boiling water, it all went wrong from there.’ 

He added: ‘I usually only bake bread for a special occasion, I would say it’s not my baking forte. But I didn’t mind leaving as someone has to go each week, that’s the nature of the show.’

Despite being praised for a well-presented bread plaque during the showstopper, the judges agreed it tasted ‘bland’ and needed more filling.

Style over substance: Despite being praised for a well-presented bread plaque during the showstopper, the judges agreed it tasted ‘bland’ and needed more filling

Rowan also came last during the technical, after struggling to make the required rainbow twisted bagels.

After scraping through last week, fans weren’t surprised to see Rowan leave the show, though many still took to Twitter to admit they’d miss his endearing and ever-optimistic nature. 

One wrote: ‘Gutted! Loved Rowan,’ while another fan posted: ‘I’m sad for Rowan but that really was the right decision tonight.’

A fan also posted: ‘Think Rowan overstayed by at least 3 weeks! Cya!’

‘Love Rowan but it was his time!’ a fan shared while one also added: ‘So sad to see Rowan go, but he took the news with a champ! He is an absolute delight!’

Goodbye! After scraping through last week, fans weren’t surprised to see Rowan leave the show, though many still took to Twitter to admit they’d miss his ever-optimistic nature

Even as he struggled through the baking challenges, Rowan still managed to tickle viewers after Matt Lucas set the stage for one of the series’ most iconic innuendos.

Joking about the meat content in his soda bread, Matt said: ‘Do you have a large sausage?’ though Matt quickly hit back: ‘I don’t care to comment.’

Elsewhere Bread Week saw Hermine received a Paul Hollywood handshake after earning praise for her ‘very special’ soda loaves, leaving her declaring she could ‘go home now.’

Honoured: Elsewhere Bread Week saw Hermine received a Paul Hollywood handshake after earning praise for her ‘very special’ soda loaves

But it was Marc E who was awarded Star Baker, after he candidly spoke about how he turned to Buddhism for guidance after having his leg amputated. 

As ever Marc’s journey to baking success wasn’t without a few hiccups along the way, as he was left in hysterical laughter after a bottle of buttermilk exploded all over his face, telling Noel Fielding: ‘No, I’m alright, I’m carrying on. Yuck.’

Next week sees the remaining Bakers face some more sweet baking challenges, as Chocolate Week returns to the tent. 

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

Oops! But it was Marc E who was awarded Star Baker, after he candidly spoke about turning to Buddhism for guidance after having his leg amputated