Great British Bake Off 2018 Rahul Mandal: Baker drops shocking bombshell about application
GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2018 finalist Rahul Mandal, who will compete for the crown in tonight’s finale, has made a shocking revelation about his application for the Channel 4 baking show.
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Great British Bake Off 2018 star Rahul Mandal, 30, admitted he had not watched the show before and it was his actually friend who urged him to fill out an application.
He confessed to the Radio Times: “Even five years ago I really had no idea about The Great British Bake Off.”
Rahul, who works as a research scientist, added it was a pal of his who encouraged him to apply for the show.
He commented: “He kept sending me the application link, until I said to him that I have started applying.”
Even five years ago I really had no idea about The Great British Bake Off.
The baking enthusiast found his love for baking when he moved from Kolkata to the UK seven years ago.
His talents have earned him a place in tonight’s final where he will attempt to win over Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood while against Ruby Bhogal and Kim-Joy.
Describing how he feels about being a finalist, he told Press Association: “I am always nervous as it is my nature.
“Being in the Bake Off final is a great experience but even the thought of it is quite scary... it's like a final board exam, equivalent to GCSE or A-level.”
The baker also admitted to being “hard on himself” when it comes to his work.
He added: “I am quite a shy and gentle person and I do tend to beat myself up, always worrying that I am not doing my best, and probably try too hard to better myself."
While he has had his good moments on the show, Rahul reflected on one particular time which got him down.
Viewers saw him rustle up a vegan showstopper cake in recent weeks, which was dedicated to his late grandmother.
Sadly for the Rahul, the cake collapsed in the fridge.
Reflecting on the failed task, he said: "In a way, I felt I let my grandmother down.”
Meanwhile, Rahul’s competitor Ruby spilled all on the difficulties of keeping quiet about appearing on the show.
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She told the news website: “I barely told anyone about Bake Off but the trickiest was dodging all the questions from workmates about what I was up to on weekends, where was I always going, why was I always tired.”
Ruby blamed her absence from home on Indian weddings, describing the excuse as “a great alibi”.
Mental health specialist Kim-Joy also admitted it was difficult to keep her appearance on the show a secret from loved ones.
She explained: “I remember a friend eating one of my practice cakes for the Bake Off, and he said to me it was delicious and I should apply for the Bake Off!”
The Great British Bake Off final airs tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm.