It was an emotional night for not one, but two of this year's The Great British Bake Off contestants after the latest episode, Tuesday, October 4, saw Rebs and James bid farewell to the Bake Off tent.
The double elimination, which comes after Rebs and Abdul were absent from the show last week due to illness, meaning no baker was sent home, occured after the bakers faced Mexican week - a first in Bake Off history. The remaining bakers were tasked with creating conchas, which are a soft and sweet Mexican bread with a topping that resembles that of a seashell, corn-flour tacos and a tres leches cake (sometimes known as milk cake).
Read more: Dancing On Ice 2023 - Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu announced as third contestant
After struggling with the three bakes, the Northern Irish and Scottish stars - who both failed to impress the stone-faced judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith during the technical and showstopper challenges - were left devastated, with Rebs bursting into tears when hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding announced that they would be leaving the competition.
Now, hours after the show aired, Rebs and James have broken their silence on their time on the show, posting a series of stories on Instagram about their experience.
Rebs - whose full name is Rebecca Lightbody - shared a screenshot from her co-star James Dewar's story which saw a letter written from the 23-year-old masters student.
It read: "Oh my days!! Was I really on Bake Off?! I grew up watching fabulous women in my family baking, and after only turning to baking, really, during lockdown, I never dreamed I'd be on my favourite show!
"Being on Bake Off is like taking a ride on a magic carpet... I'd do it all again if I could!
"I'm so grateful for this year's bakers who have become another family to me. I learn from their epic talent everyday. Also a shoutout to everyone behind the scenes who make it all possible."
Alongside this letter, the baker wrote on her stories: "Whilst it was painful to go, leaving with my gorgeous bestie eased the pain @the_big_gay_baker. (and so did all the cocktails that night!!)"
Continuing on the social media platform, she posted a snap of her showstopper bake, whose Mexican and Italian flavours, according to the judges, were too strong, and said: "You can tell in this pic how disappointed I was that things didn't go to plan... But, honestly, I still wasn't sure who'd be going until my name was said.
"One thing I will say is that I tried my cake and it tasted exactly like I'd practiced and I enjoyed it!! Alas, it wasn't to be...
"I'd like to shout out to all my fab baking family and thank everyone behind the scenes who made it all happen, thanks for making this fever dream so amazing. I'll be forever gutted I missed my two best weeks, bread and desserts, but isn't that just the way the cookie crumbles. Thanks always for the love and support, Rebs x"
Meanwhile, James, 25, from Cumbria, took to Instagram with a picture of his own letter which said: "Aaaah! I was on BAKE OFF. I have never had such an amazing bunch of people around me; both the bakers & the Bake Off team. No-one has motivated me more to improve & develop, cannot wait to see how the future goes. Big love, good vibes, stay spooky!" Dotted around the letter were doodles, one of which said: "Sorry Mexico, I tried" and a caption for the letter.
He wrote: "It was my time to go and thank you guys for being the best baking family a guy could ask for."
While James and Rebs were the latest to leave the baking show, which is in its 13th series, Maxy was crowned star baker.
The Great British Bake Off continues on Channel 4 next Tuesday at 8pm.
READ NEXT:
- Line of Duty's Vicky McClure 'stunning' hair transformation wows ITV Loose Women
- Homes Under The Hammer: Retired teacher loved Welsh cottage renovation so much, he moved in
- Sharon Osbourne tells Jeremy Paxman her 'heart breaks' for husband Ozzy after Parkinson's diagnosis
- Owain Wyn Evans lands huge Radio 2 show role
- Strictly's Amy Dowden says 'heart was in mouth' after unexpected James Bye fall
