Bake Off shares tribute after Nikki forced to leave show for family reasons
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Week 4
Last updated 14th Oct 2026
It was Bread Week on The Great British Bake Off this week, and whilst Tom was crowned the Star Baker for the second time in the competition, it was Molly who found herself eliminated by Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson.
During the episode, viewers also witnessed baker Nikki being forced to leave the tent for 'family reasons', and now it's been revealed her mum sadly passed away.
Bake Off paid tribute to Nikki's mum on social media after the episode aired. Sharing a photo of the pair enjoying afternoon tea, the post read: 'Our deepest condolences to Nikki and family following the loss of her mum Joyce'.
Bake Off host Alison Hammond was quick to comment on the post, writing: '💔', with contestant Tom adding: 'I love and appreciate you so much, so glad I met you x'.
Gabe then added: '@nikkibakesmelaugh you often spoke about the joy your mom carried, and truly that joy lives on in you! Love you endlessly xx'. (sic)
Dr Yannis commented: 'Through every hardship, Nikki somehow carries the biggest smile and a heart full of joy, and shares that joy so generously with everyone around her. A truly beautiful soul, inside and out. ❤️', with a viewer then writing: 'Oh this was a really sad ending to tonight’s episode. Sending love to you Nikki 🫶'. (sic)
Another fan of the show expressed: '❤️❤️❤️ I hope she gets the opportunity to come back in a future year'. (sic)
READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to Bake Off 2026
Despite Nikki leaving the tent, judges Paul and Nigella decided to still eliminate Molly, who failed to show off her bread making skills.
Speaking about her exit Molly said: "I'm sad to be leaving the tent but it think it's my time, it's the right decision. I wanted to do Biscuit Week and Bread Week, and I got to do both. It's been a really wonderful experience and I'm really proud of myself."
The Great British Bake Off continues every Tuesday night on Channel 4.
Check out these Bake Off facts:
1. Anyone can apply for Bake Off
Except professional bakers or chefs! Applications are open to any UK resident over the age of 16. However they cannot make their main source of income from commercial baking and entrants can't have worked as a professional chef or baker at any point. Plus, applicants cannot have acquired any professional catering qualifications in the last ten years.
2. The GBBO application form is VERY LONG
It's seven pages long, asks a LOT of questions, and demands you reveal the truth about your previous successes and failures in the kitchen.
You can find it here.
3. The Great British Bake Off application process doesn’t stop there!
If they like what they see on your application form, a researcher will call you and give you a 45 minute interview over the phone.
Then, if you pass THAT test, they'll have you whip up two baked treats, bring them to London, have an interview with a producer, and go through a screen test.
Think you're done? Nope!
You then have to try out a Technical Challenge set by the GBBO judges - in front of the camera. They also ask that you bring another bake along (presumably the producers are taste testing these / big fans of cake).
If you're still in the running, you'll then be interviewed by the show's psychologist to make sure they can handle the pressure of filming.
4. GBBO filming is intense
The show is filmed over a 10-week period between April and June, with contestants spending up to 16 hours a day filming.
They manage to package up a whole session of baking into one hour, which means that a lot of it ends up on the cutting room floor.
5... but at least it’s contained to weekends
That's right, contestants only do their GBBO stuff on weekends, which means that they can keep working their normal 9-to-5 jobs in the week.
However they are picked up from their hotels at 9am each Saturday and Sunday morning, to ensure they get as much filming time in as possible.
No rest for the wicked, eh?
6. GBBO contestants don’t do the washing up themselves
There's no dishwasher on Bake Off, because the noise would disrupt filming. Instead, home economists spend 160 hours washing up everything by hand. We hope they all get given a free hand lotion each…
7. GBBO contestants pay for ingredients themselves
Yes, that's right. They only get their ingredients provided when they reach the finals - which makes things pretty expensive. Particularly as they use between 12-20 ingredients per bake.
8. A lot of people are involved in the production of GBBO
There are around 50 crew members on set - and, yes, they all get to tuck into the cakes and goodies after the judges give their verdict.
9. GBBO contestants are encouraged to become friends
Producers take all contestants out for dinner together on the first night, and they usually become good pals over time; they often stay at the same hotel, so dinners and drinks and socialising become pretty regular.
Which means that, yes, they really DO mean it when they say they're happy for the overall winner - they're pretty much all besties by that point!
10. They make more cakes than you’d ever dreamed of
They bake a Victoria Sponge in each oven every single morning of filming, to make sure everything is ship-shape and ready to go. We imagine everyone gets a bit sick of tucking into that particular type of cake come the end of filming!
11. The show is LITERALLY based on village fetes
That's right; Anna Beattie, the show's creator, really believed that village fete baking competitions would suit TV. Anna, judging by the viewing figures, was 100% correct!
12. Mel and Sue recommended Mary Berry
The duo were approached to present the show together - and they were quick to suggest that Mary Berry should be a judge back when GBBO was on BBC One. The show moved to Channel 4 in 2017 without Mary Berry.
13. It’s not a disaster if someone forgets an ingredient
In fact, producers are well and truly prepared if this happens; they have a runner on standby at a local supermarket every morning in case a contestant realises overnight that they've forgotten an ingredient.
14. Oven time is crucial
So much so that contestants aren't allowed to put anything in - or take anything out of - the oven without flagging a producer down first. They want to make sure that they have a camera on standby to film those big baking moments.
15. The Bake Off challenges are NOT surprises
If you make it through to the Bake Off finals, you will be told what the challenges are going to be - and you'll have to submit your recipes for approval. No pressure, eh?
16. Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood were off limits
Back when the show was on BBC One, they preferred to keep things professional with contestants, and wouldn't usually speak to them outside of the Bake Off tent.
17. … but Mel and Sue weren't
The duo were happy to chat to contestants away from the cameras - and Sue even said that she likes to stay in touch with them via email once the show is all over. N'aww.
Author: Alex Ross
Alex Ross is a Digital Content Editor across Rayo brands, including the Hits Radio Network, Greatest Hits Radio, KISS, Cool FM and Magic Radio. After beginning her career as a Marketing Intern with Bauer Media in 2016, she transitioned into digital editorial and has spent the past decade creating engaging content for millions of readers. Whether it’s reality shows, sitcoms, gritty crime dramas or hard-hitting documentaries, Alex is an expert in all things TV, as well as knowing the ins and outs of celebrities.