Great British Bake Off viewers branded Terry Harthill’s showstopper the ‘best bake ever’ in the festive edition of the cooking show – before admitting it left them in hysterics.
Last night’s episode of the Channel 4 programme saw former contestants gather for a series of Yule-themed challenges.
But it was Terry, who starred in series 9 and previously told how the show gave him ‘focus’ following his wife Joanna’s death in April 2017 from cancer, that won over hearts around the nation.
‘YES TERRY !!! BEST. BAKE. EVER,’ praised one, while a second enthused: ‘Honestly one of the best things I’ve seen on #GBBO Bless Terry.’
Terry Harthill (pictured) impressed the judges and viewers alike with his showstopper in last night’s episode of Channel 4’s festive edition of the Great British Bake Off
Former contestants were challenged to bake a ‘fabulous gingerbread building’- and Terry opted to create the Chrysler building in New York (pictured)
One viewer praised the baker as the ‘best ever,’ while another enthused: ‘Yes Terry. Absolutely smashed it’ (pictured)
A third commented: ‘Terry you absolute star!’ while a fourth added: ‘That’s amazing Terry!!! I can’t stop laughing!’
In the Christmas episode, judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith challenged the amateur bakers to make a ‘fabulous gingerbread building.’
‘My building is going to be based on the Chrysler building in New York,’ explained Terry. ‘New York as a city at Christmas is just one of my favourite places to be.’
And Terry’s impressive gingerbread skyscraper stood at an impressive 3ft and came complete with toffee Christmas trees and a pair of familiar dancing models – in the shape of Paul and Prue.
Terry’s impressive gingerbread skyscraper stood at an impressive 3ft – and featured miniature Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood puppets
The amusing creations (pictured) danced and their eyes lit up as soon as the trigger was pulled
Taking to social media, one branded Terry a ‘pure genius’, while a second admitted they ‘couldn’t stop laughing’
‘Straight away you know it’s the Chrysler building,’ commented Paul when it came to judgement time. ‘Do you have lights or anything on this?’
As Terry instructed the judge to pull the blade towards him, snow shot out of the creation before miniature Paul and Prue puppets could be seen dancing.
‘I’ve never see anything like that in the tent before,’ joked Paul, while presenter Sandi Toksvig agreed: ‘It was one of the most memorable bakes showstoppers we’ve ever ever had. It’s the most wonderful way to celebrate Christmas.’
And viewers agreed, with one writing: ‘Terry’s flamboyancy in the showstopper is the energy we should all be embodying,’ while a second penned: ‘YES TERRY. Absolutely smashed it.’
A third agreed: ‘That was amazing from Terry,’ while a fourth branded the concept: ‘Pure genius.’
Terry left fans emotional during his original series after he penned a handwritten note ahead of the finale which was shared by the baking competition’s Twitter account.
The baker, who is not on social media, thanked everyone for their support during his time on the show before relaying that ‘it had been a difficult time since the loss of my wife’ – leaving fans on the brink of tears.
Prue Leith (pictured) and the judges alike were taken back by Terry’s imaginative creation (pictured)
Many were left outraged that Terry didn’t win, with one even declaring he was ‘robbed’ of first place (pictured)
The perfectly handwritten note on Bake Off’s Twitter was captioned: ‘On the day of the #GBBOFinal, it’s time to share a letter we’ve recently received from lovely Terry. He’s not on social media, but wanted to say thanks for all your kindness and encouragement…’
The letter went on to read: ‘I would like to express a massive thank you to everybody who has supported me and my family over the last few months.
We are so overwhelmed by the huge response we have received and I am particularly grateful for all your kind words online and on social media.
‘It has been a difficult time since the loss of my wife and when my daughter applied for the show on my behalf we never could have expected the wonderful reaction that we have experienced and continue to receive.
‘In the tent it was tough and difficult at times (a melting Eiffel Tower for example). I thank you all for seeing the vision! But it has been so very enjoyable and I have made some wonderful lifelong friends.
‘I am very excited for the future and again would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their love and encouragement. Yours, Terry.’