[Closed] So then, GBBO final tonight, who you backing?

Dave is boring as ****, and a bit wet.

Hopefully one of the other 2.

Perfect Peter is the better consistent baker

Laura winning us a travesty. Missed last week's but shocked she is there.

Laura seems unlikely, as the OP says she's just barely made it this far. David always looks like he's got a suspiciously fresh-laid patio while Peter is very good but looks too much like tomorrow belongs to him for my liking.

So I don't care which one wins, and they all look like they'll be hard to sell on the cookbook/cooking show circuit as far as cashing in on their triumph goes.

Missed last week’s but shocked she is there.

She had a mare (again).

Another baker had a massively out-of-character slightly bigger mare (again)

She squeaked through (again)

I like Dave, he's just a really normal fella who's really good at this stuff, and is starting to realise it. That's a perfect BakeOff story that is.

Laura has scraped through too many weeks

Yeah... the "never the worst" format might get you to the final, but you can't ultimately win that way.

I think Peter is the best and probably deserves the win however I have a feeling Dave will win as he seems the most calm under pressure

Just to lob in some nice vibes for Laura, she obviously makes really tasty stuff. The online abuse that she has been getting is truly vile. She's a samaritans volunteer and a good role model for young girls imo.

She'd be the easiest "to sell on the cookbook/cooking show circuit"... but she won't win, will she.

Laura has scraped through, but she seems to make consistently great tasting cakes, they just lack a little "finesse".
Dave has been a touch under the radar but clearly knows his stuff.
But for me, Peter has had 1 bad week all series and so definitely deserves to win it.

I do however think Hermine can feel hard done by nt to be in the final, she was consistently good all series.
I also miss Lottie...

Just to lob in some nice vibes for Laura, she obviously makes really tasty stuff. The online abuse that she has been getting is truly vile.

Absolutely, well said.

Just to lob in some nice vibes for Laura, she obviously makes really tasty stuff. The online abuse that she has been getting is truly vile. She’s a samaritans volunteer and a good role model for young girls imo.

I don't think anyone here is suggesting she is anything other than just extremely lucky to get this far. Hermine was a potential winner after the previous two weeks where she absolutely smashed it, laura never was.

She seemed like alit if fun, clearly made delicious food and as a Samaritans partner myself she is obviously an extremely caring person.

The internet are dicks.

Just to lob in some nice vibes for Laura, she obviously makes really tasty stuff. The online abuse that she has been getting is truly vile. She’s a samaritans volunteer and a good role model for young girls imo

I know that doesn't make you a great baker, but thoroughly commendable. Thanks for posting that, you've made me realise I shouldn't be so quick to judge.

Baby Faced Assassin FTW!

I think he has shown the most willingness to do things differently, with some of his flavour combinations sounding really interesting and clever, yet risky. That should be admired.

Based on their work so far, it should be Peter. But as last week proved, anyone can have a bad day. And as above, Laura may be a wonderful human being but I don't think she's ever shown the artistry that a winner should have. Also miss Lottie, she was just so obviously smart and her sarcastic comments were gold.

Another point, Matt and Noel are superb, really good.

I can't believe folk are being dicks on social media to someone on GBBO, jesus christ, that's grim.

Another point, Matt and Noel are superb, really good.

I beg to differ, Matt tries too hard with the comedy schtick. He got better as it went on, but he's the weakest presenter so far.

I can’t believe folk are being dicks on social media to someone on GBBO, jesus christ, that’s grim.

Subject for a different thread, but on balance, I think social media influence has been malevolent. We would be better off without it.

Just to lob in some nice vibes for Laura, she obviously makes really tasty stuff. The online abuse that she has been getting is truly vile

Right, that's me on Team Laura then! I just hope the series editing so far has been downplaying her skills so there can be a "surprise" winner at the end. Seems unlikely though!

Laura has been more consistent than the other two in making things the judges said were delicious, they just don't look refined. This is the constant problem of cooking shows, balancing taste vs aesthetics vs technical skill.
I don't think she'll win, but it's also harsh to say she doesn't deserve to be there, bear in mind she's won star baker and has been in the running other times for it too.

I don't think anyone's saying she doesn't deserve to be there, she's just very lucky to be there.

Another point, Matt and Noel are superb, really good.

I partly agree, Noel is brilliant, but Matt feel forced most of the time. I remain unconvinced on him...

I'd like to stab Matt... lots and lots of times.... Sadly, i won't.

LAura has indeed been fortunate and i can't see her winning.

Peter for me...

I m really enjoying it being a bit late to the party, I had to look up which was Peter and Dave. Anything can happen on the day, I like Laura, Lottie was funny and Hermine I thought was going to win.

Quite like the format i be never watched it before.

This series is dead to me since Lottie left. Although worse was when Manon got booted out the year before last. I'm still bitter about that 😀 .

(That said, I will be watching and Peter FTW)

I have a feeling that Laura might just pull it out the bag. As others have said, she seems to make things that are delicious, so she knows a thing or 2.

If she can learn how to manage things on the day, and present it well, I think she could do it. (which I take pleasure in saying, to my middle daughter's annoyance, a true 'Lottie-ite'... mwuh hur hur!)

Dave, simply because he sounds like Paul from the Swiss Tony series.

Dave gives me the jeepers creepers with that smile. Should be between Hermine and Peter imo

David always looks like he’s got a suspiciously fresh-laid patio

This summarises him almost too perfectly.

Should be Hermine or Peter. So Peter.

Erm Peter hardly drinks and doesn't like cheese so no. Also he makes me cringe with his public school faux scottishness (I don't know if he's a public school boy but he's too watsonian for me)

Can't say any of them stand out as really GREAT bakers to me, it's been entertaining and some great cooking but no one shone through for me. Hermine was the silent assassin for me, but unfortunate they judge week by week and last week was terrible for her. I'll watch tonights show but not be worried about who wins*, or their cookery book.

* I don't like Dave, as he's a creepy ****

I think that Hermine was the best overall imo. Great series filled with seemingly lovely folk this year though. Marc E was awesome too....and again seems like a top bloke. Prior to losing his leg, he was a VERY good climber apparently.

Bake Off is literally the only bit of pop culture/tv that I watch. I'm not even vaguely interested in baking either!

Erm Peter hardly drinks and doesn’t like cheese so no

Paul doesn't like pickles and Pru doesn't like peanut butter. So they should follow Peter out the door.

Peter looks like he sits at home reading the bible and will come out of the closet in twenty years time to no ones surprise but his own.

Paul doesn’t like pickles and Pru doesn’t like peanut butter. So they should follow Peter out the door.

If we're going to hammer Pru can it be because she's a ****ing idiot. Being all "Oh no not the chlorinated chicken". While voting for Brexit. The horrible old witch.

Marc E was awesome too….and again seems like a top bloke. Prior to losing his leg, he was a VERY good climber apparently.

I suspect he's still a better climber than me...

(From UKC)

I like him even more now.

Marc E was awesome too….and again seems like a top bloke

Aye, he was brilliant, they were all such smashing folk, Mark L was a top bloke too, and Lottie was ace. Just kinda realised I was a bit shitty about Dave up there, no offence to him, he's just a wee bit boring is all!

Looking forward to it. I haven’t warmed to any of the final 3. Peter is too goody goody school boy. Laura probably makes the best to eat if not to look at but agree she has scraped through by being not the worst. That leaves Dave

As an aside, I think Lottie would be an ace presenter of the programme. Her quick witted humour and dry humour/sarcasm could work wonderfully.

Agree with many of the comments up there ^. Hermine was looking a sure fire finalist and then had an absolute mare. The two weeks prior I was thinking she could go and win it. And then she blew up - on what should have been her best week. And in a really shallow way , I really do miss Lottie. She was funny and watchable and could bake. I mean, what's not to like?? Laura has had a few calamities but has somehow survived - should probably have gone the week Lottie went. Still, been an entertaining series. In true bake off fashion any one of them could win it but I think Peter has been the most consistent of the finalists across the series.

Well Laura clearly has something on Paul Hollywood, as she'd have no complaints if she'd have been sent home earlier. So perhaps her?

Realistically it's likely to be Dave as the best baker; Paul hasn't actually liked him very much til now, but you get the sense it's softening as he becomes a bit more friendly. Peter's a nice bloke but I reckon will just be edged out.

I think Lottie would be an ace presenter of the programme. Her quick witted humour and dry humour/sarcasm could work wonderfully.

I'd never thought of that, but yeah.

As an aside, I think Lottie would be an ace presenter of the programme. Her quick witted humour and dry humour/sarcasm could work wonderfully.

Please god no.

I thought she was out of her depth most of the time, playing to the presenters/camera earned her a couple of extra weeks.

Would have liked to see Hermine in the final.

Perfect Peter FTW 🙂

My Mrs <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">works with Dave’s wife. She has been nagging for ages to find out how he did but they have kept it secret. </span>

works with Dave’s wife

tell us, is he happy at home?

In Dave's favour he chose Tom Delonge from Blink 182 to make a face cake of in one of the first episodes (I think the brief was to choose your hero or someone who inspires you). Such a brilliantly unpretentious choice.

No matter who wins I just hope Laura makes the biggest mess ever of her worktop.

And maybe feed Peter some cheese

I really don't care who takes the trophy - I think we're all winners. 🙂

Oh no 😔

May as well get off now...

Now I feel a bit teary. 🙁

The Guardian live blog adds a Eurovision twist.

Oh god, please don't let her tower collapse!

I'm voting for Mr Spoon.

Dave wuz robbed! No victory shoulder wiggle

Thought it was gonna be Dave, but that was excellent. 🙂

really enjoyed that - honestly couldn't call it between Dave and Peter - either would have deserved the win.

I liked Laura - down to earth and funny, but the end results were often too messy to justify winning.

roll on GBBO 2021.

Just watched and the moment Laura said she did not like coffee the show should have been stopped and she should have been declared the winner.

I don’t think Laura should have gone through, I really don’t.... nearly all the time her flavours were really good but she just couldn’t execute to the level needed.

Very confused by that semi final result!

Peter to win, when he’s on form he really is good! In cooking quality and execution...

Seemed to be second twice on day 1 arguably by a long way on the walnut whorls. Nip and tuck day 2 and wins. He may well have deserved but if that's the case why not edit the program to reflect the fact he was a worthy winner? Why the inference that Dave had it? It's a baking program we don't need high drama.
Jeepers creepers.

I don’t think Laura should have gone through, I really don’t…. nearly all the time her flavours were really good but she just couldn’t execute to the level needed.

She was lucky throughout that there was always someone worse than her each week

I think Dave was robbed, he did better on the first two challenges and was tied on the show stopper. why do the first two challenges in the final if they count for nothing!

Baller move from Dave disappearing for 2 months while his Mrs was heavily pregnant.

I liked Laura by my god she was out of her depth. I get that it was hot etc, but that pile of slop she served on the first or second bit looked like a week 1 effort.

It’s a baking program we don’t need high drama.

Have you never watched a reality TV competition before? It is only about creating high drama.

I think Dave was robbed, he did better on the first two challenges and was tied on the show stopper. why do the first two challenges in the final if they count for nothing!

Had the same convo with the wife, I can only assume they take the whole series into account, not just the final?.

I can only assume they take the whole series into account, not just the final?.

They say they don't but ......

They really have to, don't they?.

I think Dave was robbed, he did better on the first two challenges and was tied on the show stopper. why do the first two challenges in the final if they count for nothing!

I'm not convinced Dave's custard slices were judged more highly than Peter's cranachan things (even if they did stretch the definition of custard slice to breaking point).

I think Dave was robbed, he did better on the first two challenges and was tied on the show stopper. why do the first two challenges in the final if they count for nothing!

See, we thought Peter won the signature, Dave won the technical and the showstopper was tight.
Fair result I think.

See, we thought Peter won the signature, Dave won the technical and the showstopper was tight.
Fair result I think.

Yup, could have gone either way and either way would have been justifiable.

Was a good final. Matt Lucas is still the weakest link in it though.

Peter’s cranachan things (even if they did stretch the definition of custard slice to breaking point).

They looked chuffing lovely

Our thoughts were that Dave knew he couldn't beat Peter if he did a 'normal' showstopper so took the gamble of the baking he'd done poorly with originally. It was brave and if he'd aced it he would have won but by doing some of the elements badly again it showed Peter to be the better baker.

Or something....

The show is enjoyable in the main, Matt was better showing some compassion to Laura but I think vampire boy is by far the weakeast aspect. That and the contrived, forced 'humour' at the start is just cringeworthy. The production team need to look at what's working and what's not, and maybe not schedule chocolate/ice cream/anything susceptible to heat for August.
Oh, and Hermine was robbed of a place in the final.

I love Noel, he was brilliant last year with Sandi but I don't think he worked as well with Matt his year.
Matt I just didn't get at all.

Have they not heard of air con?

"maybe not schedule chocolate/ice cream/anything susceptible to heat for August."
they do that on purpose for the TV drama, it's part of the tradition

I think Noel and Matt are fantastic, primarily because I remember Mel and Sue from when it was on the Beeb *shudders*

Have they not heard of air con?

+1

I really don't see why they can't do something to improve the situation - icing cakes in 35 degree heat is nonsense.

I work for an air-conditioning company and although cooling a big tent wouldn't be very energy efficient it is perfectly do-able.

Noel and Sandi were the best thing about it, Noel remains the best bit. Matt feels a bit like he struggles to engage on a personal level, like he's used to playing a part on camera but not just being himself.

😉 @llama

Peter deserved it, Dave did not.

I think those wanting to cool the tent are missing the point.

I've liked all the presenters tbh, past and present.

I remember Mel and Sue

Responsible for the tradition of moving in on a baking disaster and turning the air blue so that any footage could not be used. For that they deserve our respect.

Responsible for the tradition of moving in on a baking disaster and turning the air blue so that any footage could not be used. For that they deserve our respect.

I did not know that, fair play.

Although Laura wouldn't have got much camera time if that was still the case...

Matt feels a bit like he struggles to engage on a personal level, like he’s used to playing a part on camera but not just being himself.

Did you watch a different show to me? They are both good at pushing humour to to point of distraction and then flicking back and showing a genuine caring side I thought.

I only watched it last night got to about 330pm before i accidentally read a bbc headline and saw the winner.