Seventh contestant leaves The Great British Bake Off during ‘free from’ week

Retired garment technologist Gary has become the seventh contestant to be eliminated from The Great British Bake Off during “free from” party week.The bakers were tasked with creating something gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan while ensuring the end result was full of flavour.At the end of the episode, presenter Noel Fielding announced that Gabe was the Star Baker of the week, while co-host Alison Hammond told Gary, 67, that his time in the Bake Off tent was over.Retired garment technologist Gary became the seventh contestant to be eliminated (Channel 4/Love Productions/Patch Dolan/PA)PA MediaGary said: “It’s all right, don’t worry, no worries. I am really, really proud, yeah, I just didn’t expect to get this far. My main aim was to get to week three, and now it’s my turn to go.”Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood said: “I will miss my doppelganger,” and told Gary: “You can’t carry on wearing the same colour shirts as me every week!”Gary ended with: “This is probably one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. Yes it has – it’s been brilliant.”In his exit interview, he added that “free from” had been his least favourite challenge of the competition because it was not something he had practised a lot at home.The Great British Bake Off continues next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4 (Channel 4/Love Productions/Patch Dolan/PA)PA MediaAsked how he felt when he was told he would be leaving, Gary added: “I felt it before they told me, as I had the down feeling.“So when I was told it was no surprise. We had a group hug and I got some lovely kind messages after.”Gary discovered his love of baking later in life after buying his first cookbook in a gift shop five years ago.The Great British Bake Off continues next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.