Great British Bake Off finalist Laura has admitted she felt “guilty” after Hermine was controversially sent home in the semi final.
Hermine’s elimination from the Channel 4 show sparked much conversation when it aired last month, as she had entered the semi final off the back of two Star Baker victories.
Speaking about her fellow baker’s exit, Laura told Metro: “I think in my head I had a feeling I was staying, but I was also so ready to go home at that point. I hadn’t prepared for the final at all and I just felt very guilty for Hermine because I knew how much she wanted it.
“I knew that she’s a far better baker than I am and I don’t say that in a ‘poor me’ way, that’s just fact. I’m alright, but she was fantastic. I felt very guilty, even though it wasn’t my fault at the time.”
However, some had also been making disparaging comments towards Laura, who had suffered a number of baking disasters in previous weeks.
Following the semi final airing on TV, Laura called for “kindness” from viewers on social media, writing on Twitter: “It’s OK to be sad your favourite person didn’t go through, but please remember it’s not my fault. I don’t make the decisions.”
She has now revealed that former Bake Off winner Candice Brown helped support her through it.
“She definitely came to my defence on Twitter a lot and kept checking in with me, which I really appreciated,” Laura said.
Hermine also asked fans not to be “unkind in my name,” posting on Instagram: “I am all about love and kindness. Honour my time in the GBBO by showing love and kindness.
“Behind what looks like characters on your tele are real people. Love.”
Judge Paul Hollywood also defended Laura from trolls with a post on Instagram, calling their behaviour “disgusting”.
“Each week stands on its own!! It never matters what any baker has done in previous weeks,” he wrote. “Even if you win 4/5 star bakers and then have a bad week you will be at risk of going sadly. It’s the rule that has been in place for 11 years!!”
The most recent series of The Great British Bake Off finished last week, with Laura and David beaten to the crown by Peter in the final.