'Great British Bake Off': Tears, And Titters For Tom's Phallic Thor Loaf During Bread Week | HuffPost

Bread week caused problems for many of the remaining contestants.

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Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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Episode three of ‘Great British Bake Off’ meant Bread Week inside the tent, which brought back for everyone here at HuffPost Towers fond memories of the OTHER Paul’s extraordinary lion a year ago.

Will anyone ever forget this spectacular offering in 2015?

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2016 delivered nothing quite as remarkable, instead a whole bunch of undercooked chocolate loaves, and the series’ first shock - Andrew had decided not to double-prove! I know, I know. It wasn’t just Mary Berry’s jaw that hit the floor until, in a dramatic comeback, the proof (thankyou) was in the eating, and it was all okay.

However, it wasn’t this that got the viewers choking on their cocoa… that honour went to Tom’s ‘Thor Hammer’ Loaf - a show-stopper that looked distinctly… errr… masculine when viewed from above.

Tom's offering was inspired by Norse god Thor's hammer

BBC

Even the pun-ready Mel was, for once, lost for words, settling for a diplomatic “It’s very male, isn’t it?” when she spotted it.

This naughty-looking concoction didn’t seem to hold Tom back, as he explained calmly: “It’s a hammer, it’s strong. It’s also a T, T for Thor. T for Tom. I’m not being led. My mum is going to watch this!”

For once, even host Mel Giedroyc seemed lost for words

BBC

As it happened, it proved as strong as Thor promised, with Tom being named Star Baker in a week that saw a whole load of undercooked bread, nobody really getting to grips with Paul’s technical Dumpfnoodles, Selasi taking to the floor to watch his bread through the oven door - could he get any more laid-back? - Benjamina being accused of cooking wallpaper paste, and a large number of struggling contestants, all of whom could have justifiably been sent home.

Candice was in tears when her chocolate bread balls sank without trace early on in the show, and her show-stopper was greeted with equal scorn by Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry. However, both she and toe-tapping Val narrowly escaped defeat this week, with Michael being sent home instead, despite baking up a Cypriot flag doused in 99% alcohol, the new definition of ‘a waste’.

This week’s finest moment:

Val sipping on a cup of tea while stirring her plum sauce.

Who do you think will be crowned this year’s champion? Tap the first picture below to open our slideshow:

Great British Bake Off 2016

Great British Bake Off 2016(01 of33)

Candice
Candice, 31, was inspired to bake by her grandmother and hopes to follow in her footsteps - aiming to be "even half the lady she was".She grew up in the pubs her parents ran and now lives in Bedfordshire.She currently works in pastoral care and PE teaching at a secondary school. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(02 of33)

Michael
Michael's Cypriot heritage is evident in his baking, as he loves to make Greek pastries with his grandmother.The 20-year-old, from London, is currently studying politics and economics in Durham.He may shine in the Showstopper round as he enjoys making "big grand cakes" and combining unusual flavours. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(03 of33)

Val
Former primary school head teacher Val can apparently make classics with her eyes closed.The 66-year-old works two days a week and enjoys the rest of the time baking at her home in Yeovil, Somerset.She could bring a more unusual touch to the tent as she likes to do aerobics in her kitchen while waiting for her jams to boil. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(04 of33)

Lee
Lee is the oldest contestant in this year's competition.The 67-year-old started his career as a builder before becoming a pastor in the 1980s.The Bolton resident enjoys traditional flavours such as hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(05 of33)

Louise
Originally from Merthyr Tydfil, Louise now works as a hairdresser in Cardiff and has developed her love of baking over the last 10 years.She is sure to have the stamina for long days in the tent as she loves mountain walks and has completed a four-day trek in the Andes.The 46-year-old loves to decorate her cakes with elaborate designs. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(06 of33)

Andrew
Originally from Northern Ireland, Andrew lives with friends in Derby and works as an aerospace engineer for Rolls-Royce, designing jet engines.His background could lead to some very precise and beautiful bakes, with creations including a baguette Concorde.The 25-year-old is also likely to make use of the secret recipes passed down by his mother and grandmother. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(07 of33)

Jane
Jane, 61, will be hoping to use her long family history of making breads and cakes (her grandfather owned a bakery) as she bids to become champion.The garden designer, from Beckenham, south-east London, likes to start early, getting her bread in the oven at 5am most mornings.Viewers can expect Jane to perform strongly in the technical challenges as she knows her classic cakes, biscuits and pastries. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(08 of33)

Benjamina
The 23-year-old teaching assistant, who lives in south London, recently gained a first in economics and is known as a straight-A student.She could be her own strongest critic as she is not happy when things do not turn out right.She lives at home with her brother and twin sister, who is her other big critic and regularly gives her feedback on her creations. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(09 of33)

Tom
Tom grew up in Rochdale but now lives in east London with his wife Kate.Having lost 30kg, he enjoys his bakes but believes in eating them in moderation.The 26-year-old also impressively makes his own cheese and salami from scratch.
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Great British Bake Off 2016(10 of33)

Kate
The farmer's daughter has had a passion for baking since she was a child and loves using seasonal fruits which she gathers from her parents' garden.The 37-year-old nurse says she thrives on nurturing others so she could be a comforting figure in the tent.Sugar craft is her particular strength. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(11 of33)

Selasi
Originally from Ghana, Selasi moved to the UK with his family 15 years ago.He works long hours as a client service associate in the finance industry but still finds time to bake and regularly impresses colleagues with his cupcakes.The 30-year-old is also a basketball and motorbike enthusiast. (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(12 of33)

Rav
Rav, from Erith in Kent, has a job supporting students at City University London and volunteers for charities such as Victim Support.He lives with his parents and enjoys using unusual ingredients, taking inspiration from far eastern cuisine and vegan baking.The 28-year-old thinks he has a good sense of flavour combinations, "even if they might seem strange to others". (credit:BBC)

Great British Bake Off 2016(13 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(14 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(15 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(16 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(17 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(18 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(19 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(20 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(21 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(22 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(23 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(24 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(25 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(27 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(30 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(32 of33)

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Great British Bake Off 2016(33 of33)

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