Waterlooville's Dave Friday tells of stint on Great British Bake Off ahead of tonight's final

Dave Friday was one of the 12 bakers who entered the Great British Bake Off tent, having his fair share of baking highs and mishaps, and the 30-year-old is now one of three left standing and fighting for the top trophy in tonight’s final.

The News caught up with him before he settles down this evening to watch the final episode with girlfriend Stacey and new son Ronnie, who was welcomed into the world last month.

Speaking about being in the final with Peter and Laura, Dave said: ‘I was nervous about the final as I actually hadn’t really planned the bakes until quite far into the competition, so the only practice for the final was on the two days prior to filming.

‘It did feel like three friends going into the final, but the thought of being so close to winning gave it a bit of a competitive edge.

‘I had close friends and family spurring me on and telling me I was good enough to do this. Stacey said that I had already won in her eyes so anything from now is a bonus!’

Some of Dave's triumphs in the competition have included his jelly design cake and last week’s mini cube cake showstopper, which Paul called a ‘triumph’.

His macaroons, which Prue described as ‘perfect’, and his biscuit tea set, inspired by South America, earned him Star Baker during biscuit week.

Dave said: ‘I never imagined in a million years I would get star baker! It was incredible especially so early on in the competition. I couldn’t really relax after that, each week was so different and a new challenge to face – I wanted to up my game.

‘I felt like this achievement gave me a boost – like I should believe in myself a bit more.’

With this year’s Covid-19 pandemic, cast and crew had to live in a bubble for six weeks while filming which meant, while the bakers were away from a family and friends, the group became closer than ever.

Dave explained: ‘Every time someone left, the group dynamic changed so that was really tough.

‘I’m not usually an emotional person but in the tent, with cast and crew having to live in a ‘self-contained biosphere’ for six weeks, emotions run high and I really felt it when Mark L left.

‘We got on so well and he was my baking buddy and an all round great guy.

‘We would always have a toast to the person leaving in the evening and try and give them a good send off.’

‘I did adapt quite well as I have stayed away from home with my job. But it was really hard to not see my family at all, especially Stacey and Yoki.

‘Towards the end I was really missing my home life, just being able to take the dog for a walk with Stacey, having dinner together – the simple things I took for granted.

‘I was heavily distracted with all the practising and intense filming days so I think it went quicker for me than it did for Stacey.’

The family are now back together at home in Waterlooville with newborn Ronnie and Dave is adjusting to life as a new dad and being a familiar face on TV.

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He said: ‘It is cringy hearing my own voice and a lot of people noticing my happy ‘shoulder wriggle’ I didn’t know I did.

‘I have been recognised a bit – even with a face mask on!

‘When we were in hospital having baby Ronnie, the midwives and doctors asked where they knew me from. The doctor who delivered Ronnie is a big fan of Bake Off so was very excited about it.’

Following the show, Dave is now hoping for a career change and get into baking, sugar work and chocolate scuplting.

He added: ‘ I never imagined that I would be picked for the show as I hadn’t had a lot of experience and never really felt that I was up to the standard of previous contestants of the show.

‘But what I did have was great passion and interest with baking – a real fascination with what I could do with a few basic ingredients to producing bakes that I got to see people enjoy – that feeling alone was motivation enough for me to carry on and then submit an application.

‘I have learned a lot about myself and my abilities and I have also made lifelong friends.’

‘It has given me more confidence to take risks.’

The Great British Bake Off concludes tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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