Our favourite Junior Bake-Off contestant, Maddie the mensch, was left in tears when her Italian-themed pizza pie failed to save her from eviction last night.

Her under-baked Malva puddings and too-thick Crème Anglaise (French for custard) left her trailing in the technical, and at risk during the Showstopper round. Even though her colourful pie was tasty and she'd steered clear of a soggy bottom, it was not enough.  

The writing was on the wall, as a last place on the Technical has too often been nail in the coffin of the Junior Bake Off contestants’ hopes. Just the night before, poor Tilly had seen her hopes dashed after her Technical salted chocolate pie collapsed.

Maddie’s Malva and custard got a thumbs up for flavour, but she was unlucky as too many of her rivals had managed to do a really good job on the South African, apricot jam-based pudding.

I will miss her, but also feel our girl didn’t get her fair share of the spotlight while she was in the iconic tent. I’d love to have got to know her better. However, I do know that she did herself proud and can leave with her head held high.

Not only were her bakes always judged to be super tasty by Prue and Liam, but she was the first to give her mates a cuddle when they were feeling low and to lend a hand when a fellow competitor was in need.

We’re proud of you Maddie and can’t wait to see where your baking career takes you from here! Perhaps we’ll get to take a peek into her kitchen one day soon!