The Health Advisor saw off stiff competition from four-time star baker Steph Blackwell and the steady talent of Alice Fevronia, who were both left in tears during a stressful and emotional final
David stunned Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with his showstopper, and was the only contestant to present a serviceable soufflé during Tuesday’s night’s climax to the Channel 4 show.
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Great British Bake Off finalists (l-r) Steph Blackwell, David Atherton and Alice Fevronia.
Channel 4
Steph was reduced to tears, saying “I just feel a bit stupid” after her own effort collapsed into liquid, and was given a hug by Paul after her showstopper was badly received.
Alice was also in tears at the thought that her family might not arrive to see her finish the show.
Despite being the only finalist to have never been crowned Star Baker on this series, David remained stress-free in the final.
The three finalists were asked to craft a chocolate cake to a professional standard in the signature challenge.
David’s rune and Armanganc creation was deemed “too boozy”, Alice was praised for her flavours, and although favourite Steph impressed, she struggled in the technical, and was in tears after failing to set her soufflés.
Host Noel Fielding said her sudden dip in form in the final was “heartbreaking”.
Alice was also emotional, fearing her parents would not make it over from Ireland to see her.
David was named the winner of the challenge, and continued to impress with his picnic basket showstopper, with classic snacks created from cake, biscuit, and bread.
After crowning David the winner, Paul told him: “Well done mate, you smashed it.”
After being crowned winner, David said: “It feels so good. It’s been weeks and weeks of intensity and fatigue and then to finish it with this.
“I saved the best ’til last, and it’s the best feeling in the world.
“Honestly it was never in my mind that I thought I could win this, I have had daydreams of winning Bake Off for about 10 years.
“I really enjoyed every episode in the tent and I never felt that I was flaky throughout the whole series, although I did feel very nervous at the final which was unlike me.
“I felt the pressure in the tent but I just didn’t get stressed, I did feel nervous but I didn’t let it get to me. I wanted to enjoy myself rather than having any negative feelings.”
Paul added: “David came in as probably the underdog into the final knowing that twice Alice has won [Star Baker] and Steph won four times.
“He has gone from nothing to win the whole thing; it’s priceless, absolutely priceless, he should be really proud of himself. I think he has done an amazing job.”
Prue Leith said: “David is an extraordinary baker and I am so full of admiration for him. Right from the beginning he has never lost his temper he has always been very neat and organised.
“It was really a question of the tortoise catching the hare, he just steadily went on and won.”
David and all the bakers will join Jo Brand on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on November 1 at 8 pm on Channel 4.
'Great British Bake Off': Where Are They Now?
Edd Kimber (winner, 2010)(01 of11)
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Fresh from being crowned the winner of the first ever ‘Bake Off’, Ed quit his day job as a debt collector for Yorkshire Bank (which he hated) to follow his baking dream with a job in Raymond Blanc’s restaurant Le Manoir as a pastry chef (what else?). He’s gone on to carve himself a career as a food writer with articles appearing in BBC Good Food magazine and on his blog theboywhobakes.co.uk. In 2011 he published his first cookbook, ran a pop-up bakery in Fortnum & Mason and is also the resident baker on ‘The Alan Titchmarsh Show’. “Bake Off changed [my life] in the most amazing way. It allowed me to follow my passion and fulfil my dreams in a way I never imagined,” he said recently. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Jo Wheatley (winner, 2011)(02 of11)
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After winning the second series of ‘Bake Off’, Jo started her own cooking school. Based at her home in Essex, Jo teaches classes on home-baking such as bread making and cupcake decorating. She has also published two cookbooks, ‘A Passion For Cooking’ and ‘Home Baking’ and is a regular food columnist for The Sun and Sainsbury’s Magazine.
John Whaite (winner, 2012)(03 of11)
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John hasn’t stopped working since winning series three. As well as publishing two cookbooks, ‘John Whaites Bakes’ and John Whaites Bakes At Home’, he earned a patisserie diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, launched his own online chocolate shop The Hungry Dog Artisan Chocolates and is set to launch his own cookery school, John Whaite’s Kitchen. On top of all that he’s also the resident baker on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV morning show. Phew! (credit:Rex)
Frances Quinn (winner, 2013)(04 of11)
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Frances, who won the fourth series in 2013, is best remembered for her highly creative designs and has gone on to share her skills at shows and festivals around the UK. Many of her recipes have also appeared in newspapers and magazines and she’s also popped up on many TV and radio shows. Her first book ‘Quinntessential Baking’ is set to be published on 27 August and promises to be "a treasure trove of inspirational ideas to bring a spark of creativity and a teaspoon of wonder into your kitchen." (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Nancy Birtwhistle (winner, 2014)(05 of11)
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Former GP surgery manager Nancy, who was crowned champion at the end of last year’s series, has gone on to launch her own baking website www.nancybirtwhistle.co.uk where she shares receipes with fans. The 60-year-old is also in demand for everything from cookery demonstrations to after-dinner speaking and is currently writing an encyclopedia of baking. (credit:BBC)
Mary-Anne Boermans (2011)(06 of11)
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Mary-Anne was pipped to the post in the 2011 final but has gone on to launch her own blog timetocookonline.com and is about to opublish her very first book ‘Great British Cakes’ which has already had mary berry’s seal of approval, saying it was ‘brilliantly researched from a true foodie’.
James Morton (2012)(07 of11)
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After coming second on the third series, Glaswegian James has amassed a huge fanbase thanks to his baking blog and regular column in the Sunday Mail newspaper. He’s also had two books published, the first of which, ‘Brilliant Bread’, won the Guild of Food Writers award for Best Cookbook in 2014. Earlier this year he beat Michel Roux Jr to win Radio Times Food Champion but despite his baking success he is still studying to become a doctor at the University of Glasgow. (credit:Jame Morton/Twitter)
Ruby Tandoh (2013)(08 of11)
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She might not have won the 2013 series but Ruby has just been voted Bake Off’s favourite ever contestant by readers of Radio Times. Since appearing on the show, Ruby has written a book called ‘Crumb’ and recorded her own documentary for Radio 4. She also has her own blog rubyandthekitchen.co.uk and writes a weekly recipe column for The Guardian. In April this year she announced she was gay on Twitter and also hit back at the trolls who suggested there was chemistry between her and judge Paul Hollywood. She tweeted: “For those who thought I fancied Paul Hollywood or that I'd ever bang him to get ahead - JOKE'S ON YOU, YOU MASSIVE SHITTING MISOGYNISTS.” (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Howard Middleton (2013)(09 of11)
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Howard proved to be an instant hit with ‘Bake Off’ viewers when he appeared on the 2013 series. The council worker, who provided some of the most memorable moments (remember custard-gate? Or the missing trifle?), is set to publish his first book ‘Delicious Gluten-Free Baking’ in September. Speaking about his time on the show recently, he said: “My greatest memory is having met such a wonderful bunch of people and it is one of those things that continues. It exists outside of that and that is a pleasure really.” (credit:Chris Radburn/PA Archive)
Martha Collison (2014) (10 of11)
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At just 17 years old, Martha was the youngest ever contestant to appear on ‘Bake Off’, but despite her years, she went on to reach the quarter finals. So it’s no surprise that since appearing on the show, Martha has not only launched her own successful baking blog but has also landed herself a column in the Waitrose Weekend newspaper, alongside the likes of Pippa Middleton, Clare Balding, and Mariella Frostrup. On top of this, she spent her half-term break in Cambodia as an ambassador for the Tearfund charity where she visited victims of child trafficking and held baking workshops with them. (credit:BBC)
Richard Burr (2014)(11 of11)
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Richard was an early favourite to win last year’s ‘Bake Off’ but despite not walking away with the title he’s gone on to enjoy success outside of his building business. As well as his popular blog, richardburr.london, he regularly appears at food festivals around the country and has just published his first book, ‘B.I.Y. Bake It Yourself’ (see what they did there?). (credit:BBC)