A star on this year’s Great British Bake Off was allegedly sacked from his job at Lloyds after he was accused of stealing thousands of pounds.
John Mincher wowed the judges in the Bake Off tent in the first episode of the new series and was awarded the prize of Star Baker.
But before he joined the hit show Mr Minicher, who now works for the NHS as a directorate support manager, headed a compliant unit at Lloyds HQ in Pendeford near Wolverhampton.
It was during this role that the 37-year-old allegedly misused a system intended to pay compensation to customers.
The shocking revelation did not turn up in pre-show checks which do not involve the police – a source told The Sun.
Speaking to The Sun, an ex-colleague of the TV star said they were shocked to see him on the show.
The former co-worker said: ‘This was about seven years ago but I could not believe it when I saw him on Great British Bake Off. I almost spat out my tea. Loads of people remember what happened.
‘The bosses accused him of stealing thousands. He was marched out of the office immediately.’
They added that Mr Mincher had been a popular boss before his dramatic exit from the company.
Mr Mincher came out on top in the first episode of the fifteenth series which has always started with cake week.
The judge’s enjoyed his signature bake loaf cake.
His showstopper ‘The Perfect Brunch’ Illusion Cake also impressed the judges with Prue Leith highlighting the margarita flavour as providing a nice kick.
Taking home the Star Baker prize Mr Mincher was praised for his consistently good bakes throughout the day in the Bake Off tent.
have approached Mr Mincher, Lloyd’s Bank and Channel 4 for comment.
A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group told The Sun: ‘We do not comment on individual colleagues.’
The show told the paper: ‘Bake Off undertakes robust background checks which are a compulsory requirement for contributors to be able to participate in the programme.’