Great British Bake Off Sends Molly Home as Tom Wins Star Baker
Molly left The Great British Bake Off after Bread Week, while Tom earned Star Baker for the second time in the competition. Nikki had already left the tent early for family reasons, but judge Paul Hollywood said the baking standards still warranted sending a contestant home. The next episode will put the remaining hopefuls through Dessert Week.
Channel 4’s bakers faced a tougher call after one contestant had already left the tent for family reasons. In the latest Great British Bake Off Bread Week episode, Molly was sent home, while Tom secured Star Baker for the second time in the competition.
The episode aired on Tuesday, October 13, and saw contestants take on savoury baking challenges judged by Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson. Nikki had left early for family reasons, but Hollywood still considered an elimination appropriate given the standard of the bakes.
Molly had wanted to reach both Biscuit Week and Bread Week. She managed it, but her run ended after the bread challenges.
“I'm sad to be leaving the tent but it think it's my time, it's the right decision,” she said. “It's been a really wonderful experience and I'm really proud of myself.”
Nigella Lawson praised Molly as she left, telling her: “You have shown us some beautiful bakes.”
The exit came in an episode focused on savoury baking, with the contestants trying to impress both judges. The loss of Nikki earlier in the episode did not prevent the judges from sending another baker home. According to the report, Hollywood felt the baking standards in Bread Week justified the decision.
Tom takes Star Baker again
Tom won Star Baker for the second time after impressing Hollywood and Lawson in the Showstopper challenge. His reaction was immediate: “I can't believe that just happened!”
He joked that he would have to go home and change his recipes because expectations would now be higher. The result gives Tom another weekly distinction, while Molly’s departure leaves the remaining hopefuls to continue without her.
Viewers discussed the judges’ decisions on X after the episode. One post said: “Actually gutted for Molly, so pleased for Tom though.” Other comments also expressed disappointment at her exit, while one viewer argued that several contestants could have been sent home that week.
The split reaction reflected the episode’s difficult decision: Molly’s departure drew sympathy, while Tom’s second Star Baker award offered a clear high point. The judges had to make their call despite Nikki’s earlier exit, and the report said Hollywood believed the standard of the baking warranted an elimination.
For viewers, the episode’s outcome reshapes the competition before the next set of challenges. The remaining bakers will move on to Dessert Week, according to the report. The Great British Bake Off airs on Tuesdays on Channel 4 at 8pm.
Molly’s final word on her time in the tent was that she had wanted to complete Biscuit Week and Bread Week—and “I got to do both.”
