Great British Bake Off viewers were ‘gutted’ as Tasha was voted off during the semi-final on Tuesday night – on her birthday.
The participation officer, 27, was eliminated during Patisserie Week with judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith asking her to leave the tent.
Her departure means there will be an all-male final, with Josh, Dan and Matty set to battle it out next week.
Tasha said of the show upon her exit: ‘It’s changed me. I can do so much more than I realised that I was capable of.
‘It’s such a special place. I’m very lucky to be part of it.’
End of the road: Great British Bake Off viewers were ‘gutted’ as Tasha was voted off during the semi-final on Tuesday night
Going through: Her departure means there will be an all-male final, with Josh, Dan and Matty set to battle it out next week
A post on the official Great British Bake Off Twitter page read: ‘Oh Tasha, we’re the lucky ones – you’ve been an absolute star!
‘We’re so honoured to have enjoyed both your baking and your company in our Tent over the last few weeks.
‘We’re very excited about what the future holds for you. Keep believing in yourself!’
The news left viewers of the show disappointed, with many taking to social media to express their views.
One person wrote: ‘Sad for Tasha, but the right decision. Roll on next week.’
While another person shared: ‘I knew it was coming, but damn I bloody love Tasha as a baker. She’s been absolutely AMAZING.’
Someone else posted: ‘Tasha was absolutely glorious – I’m so gutted for her but so proud of all the boys.’
And another show fan posted: ‘Tasha DESERVED that final i actually will not be watching the final.’
Farewell: The participation officer, 27, was eliminated during Patisserie Week with judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith asking her to leave the tent
Grateful: Tasha said of the show upon her exit: ‘It’s changed me. I can do so much more than I realised that I was capable of’
Delighted: A post on the official Great British Bake Off Twitter page read: ‘Oh Tasha, we’re the lucky ones – you’ve been an absolute star!’
‘Ah, Tasha, no. On her birthday as well. I feel like she’ll have a big career ahead of her though,’ wrote another viewer, while someone else shared: ‘Such a shame for Tasha. She is an excellent baker.’
‘Nooooooo Tasha!!!! well that was a shame #GBBO,’ declared another viewer.
Someone else shared: ‘Aww gutted for Tasha! Can’t she just bake and provide her take on things in the background without actually being in the competition?’
And someone else posted: ‘Noooooo! Tasha! I’m gutted I think she’s really talented. Shocked.’
While another viewer wrote: ‘Oh no Tasha was my favourite to win. You have been amazing Tasha!’
Deaf contestant Tasha’s departure meant show fans would also be saying goodbye to her BSL interpreter Daryl.
Gutted: The news left viewers of the show disappointed, with many taking to social media to express their views
Tasha penned a farewell letter to her fans after her elimination, writing: ‘How do I sum up the best thing that has ever happened to me on this little piece of paper?!
‘The other 11 bakers… well I just love you all to pieces. You’re family forever. There really is nothing quite like this bond!
‘Daryl, Dazza, D-Man… not just my interpreter, but my constant advocate & friend. Our baker’s dozen’s 13th member. You always knew when my listening fatigue was creeping in before I did and I couldn’t have done this without you!
‘Alison & Noel… for the big hugs & the even bigger laughs!
‘Prue & Paul… for pushing me to be my best & for all of your wisdom. What a masterclass!
Goodbye: Tasha penned a farewell letter to her fans after her elimination, writing: ‘How do I sum up the best thing that has ever happened to me on this little piece of paper?!’
‘The STELLAR crew – you’re all just out of this world brilliant.
‘This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but I just wish I could re-live it all over again because oh my goodness what a DREAM it was!
‘That big white tent has give me SO much. THANK YOU!’
Next week, Josh, Dan and Matty will be tasked with three challenges before one is announced winner of the series.
GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2023: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
Tasha
Age: 27
Occupation: Participation officer
From: Bristol
Bake Off presenters have learnt sign language as the show welcomes its first ever deaf contestant.
Tasha, 27, is a participation officer from Bristol and will be joining the show with her BSL interpreter, Daryl.
She said: ‘When I had the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the 12, I cried. Daryl also cried. We were a mess.’
Amos
Age: 43
Occupation: Deli and grocery manager
From: North London
Amos describes his bakes as a labour of love – his style is colourful and chic with keen attention to detail, and he loves exploring different flavour profiles.
He compares his baking style to the converted church that he now lives in, calling both his style and home ‘traditional with a modern twist’.
Rowan
Age: 21
Occupation: University student
From: West Yorkshire
‘Go big, or go home’ is student Rowan’s motto, and one that he has always applied to his bakes.
A student of English literature, when he’s not writing up a storm, Rowan is also a keen host, applying his creative eye to his cooking.
Abbi
Age: 27
Occupation: Vegetable grower and delivery driver
From: Cumbria
A lover of the great outdoors, she forages for seasonal ingredients and puts her homegrown veg to good use.
Abbi’s bakes aim to combine comfort and familiarity with a strong nod towards nature, and a feeling of creating something magical – bakes with a touch of fairytale.
Cristy
Age: 33
Occupation: PA
From: East London
For Cristy, life with four children means that there always seems to be a birthday to bake for and an exciting party to plan.
She describes her baking style as enchanted and pretty – bakes that conjure up a sense of childhood.
Dan
Age: 42
Occupation: Civil engineering resource planner
From: Cheshire
Perfectionist Dan loves a baking challenge and will often find the hardest bake in one of his 300 cook books.
When he’s not baking, he loves to play football with his two young sons or forage for edible treats in the countryside.
Dana
Age: 25
Occupation: Database administrator
From: Essex
She loves a semi-naked cake with neat lines, pretty piping and minimalist decoration; and although she likes to keep her flavours safe, Dana will often incorporate a twist or two, adding in familiar spices associated with her Indian heritage.
Josh
Age: 27
Occupation: Post-doctoral research associate
From: Leicestershire
Post-doctoral research associate Josh is a chemist by trade and brings his scientist’s precision and keenness to experiment into the kitchen, taking careful notes on each part of the baking process.
Keith
Age: 60
Occupation: Chartered accountant
From: Hampshire
Keith has a penchant for apple pies and fairy cakes – which he learned to bake with his mum.
The treats form the baking backdrop to Keith’s childhood, along with his mum’s love for traditional dishes from her home in Malta.
Matty
Age: 28
Occupation: PE and science teacher
From: Cambridgeshire
He describes his style as rustic but neat, and his flavour preferences as quite traditional – he particularly loves chocolate, citrus and nuts.
Once his days in the tent are over, his nex challenge will be to make his own wedding cake.
Nicky
Age: 52
Occupation: Retired cabin crew and volunteer
From: West Midlands
Her favourite bakes are pastries, but she also loves making fun birthday cakes for her niece and grandchildren.
When she’s not baking, Nicky volunteers for a pet-therapy charity along with her dog Bracken and loves to ski, which she has been doing since she was only three years old.
Saku
Age: 50
Occupation: Intelligence analyst
From: Herefordshire
At her family home in Sri Lanka, Saku didn’t have an oven until she was 18, so she turned to baking only when she moved with her husband to the UK, in 2003.
Self-taught, she relishes using her homegrown ingredients from her vegetable patch.