
A baker from West Yorkshire is continuing to impress viewers on the Great British Bake Off.
Tom, who recently claimed Star Baker for the second time, tackled another tough round on the show as contestants entered dessert week.
The bakers faced a trio of challenges: self-saucing puddings, a technical set by guest judge Nigella Lawson, and a retro dessert trolley showstopper.
For the Signature Challenge, they were given one hour and 45 minutes to create eight self-saucing puddings, with staggered start and finish times to increase the difficulty.
Apple crumble-inspired pudding earns praise
Tom drew inspiration from a childhood favourite and said: "I love apple crumble.
"I've always made it with my dad, my mum, my nans."
His bake, named "Spicy Saucy," featured a cinnamon sponge, caramelised apple sauce, oat crumble topping, and vanilla custard.
He joked about its appearance and said: "It looks ugly but there's plenty of sauce."
Judge Paul Hollywood described it as "an interesting blob" but praised the flavours.
He said: "The apple comes through beautifully well with the caramel."
Nigella Lawson also approved and said: "I love the flavours."
Judges Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood in the tent (Image: Newquest)
The technical challenge proved more difficult.
Technical proves trickier
Nigella set the bakers the task of making bread and butter pudding, allowing them to choose their flavour combinations.
Tom selected an orange-infused custard with cranberries, raisins, and cinnamon, but the judges felt it was too much.
Paul said: "There was a lot of fruit."
Nigella added: "There's far too much going on in this."
Tom placed fifth in the technical, a disappointing result compared to previous weeks.
Tom risks a fourth bake in ambitious showstopper
The Showstopper Challenge pushed him to his limits.
Read More:
Bakers were asked to create a retro dessert trolley with at least three different desserts, including a baked element.
Tom decided to go above and beyond with four desserts.
He said: "God, there's just so much going on.
"I don't even know what day of the week it is."
His "Tipsy" dessert trolley included a passion fruit martini trifle, mojito pavlova, limoncello tart, and Irish cream crème brûlée.
Presenter Noel Fielding joked: "If the seventies were one thing they were boozy."
Tom admitted: "I'm such a lightweight."
Nigella Lawson (Image: Newquest)
Nigella asks for Tom's recipe
Despite the stress, his final trolley was met with high praise.
Nigella said: "It's got coherence, it's got camp, it's got beauty."
She was particularly taken with his pavlova and said: "This, I'm going to be making, if you would be so kind to give me your recipe."
Paul said: "I think you've done a very, very good job."
Tom said: "Nigella's reaction made it for me, I'm really happy.
"That was one of the hardest things I've ever done."
While fellow contestant Connie was awarded Star Baker, Tom remains a strong contender as the competition heads into pastry week.