‘The Great British Baking Show’ Finalists Speak Out After Stunning End to Season

Martin Holmes
12 Comments
GBBO finalists
Spoiler Alert
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[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for The Great British Baking Show, Collection 12, Week 10]

The 2024 season of The Great British Baking Show has been a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, and the biggest surprise of all was left to the end when the judges selected the winner.

In the season finale, the three finalists, Dylan, Christiaan, and Georgie, were tasked with three complex baking challenges. First up, they had to create scones, followed by an afternoon tea ensemble. Then, in the hardest Showstopper challenge of the season, the budding bakers had to create an elaborate hanging celebration cake.

“This is the bake between winning or losing,” host Alison Hammond told the finalists as they set to work on their Showstoppers.

Both Dylan and Georgie appeared to get flustered at various points, with the former having trouble with the consistency of his genoise sponge and the latter getting confused over what she was doing. This led many viewers to believe Christiaan had the competition in the bag.

However, when it came time for Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith to select the winner, they chose Georgie, who they said made an “absolutely delicious” cake. This came as a surprise to many viewers, who, while they appreciated Georgie, felt that Dylan and Christiaan had been more consistent throughout the competition. For much of the season, Dylan had seemed like a nailed-on cert to win.

“Watching Dylan be perfection the entire season for it all the crumble in the final and Georgie win,” wrote one fan alongside a crying face emoji.

“Sorry. Picked the wrong winner there. Know the showstopper was great, but consistently across each challenge Christiaan was the better baker,” added another.

Another said, “Christiaan was the best in the final. No doubt. He was robbed. Dylan had a meltdown, unfortunately. Georgie won with safe, unexciting baking.”

“She may have done the best in that week but overall no Dylan or Christian definitely should have won,” another wrote.

Georgie on GBBO

Georgie; GBBO X

However, others were happy for Georgie, with one fan writing, “Georgie deserved it, smashed the final & did what you need to do in the final by making the perfect showstopper. Feel for Dylan, but that boy has an amazing future ahead of him.”

“A well deserved winner. That final cake looked stunning, and sounded delicious,” said another.

Another added, “Although Dylan was my favourite, Georgie deserved to win. Her journey throughout the competition was phenomenal to watch.”

Speaking after her win, Georgie said, “This is mad. I have won it, I can’t believe it. This is just incredible. I have got this and that wrong with me and think I can’t do it, and you make excuses. For once I thought I was just going to go for it and put my everything into it. Working all hours and I sacrificed time with the kids and the family… I’m just so proud of myself.”

The three finalists also shared their goodbye letters on social media, with Christiaan writing, “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself baking in that big white tent! But… here I am, and it’s all thanks to the incredible love and support of you all!”

He added, “This journey has been about chasing a dream, stepping outside my comfort zone, and believing in myself – and it’s been amazing! It’s been an honour to bake alongside 11 of the most talented bakers I have ever met and I’m so grateful to have made friends for life!”

Meanwhile, Dylan wrote, “What an insane journey, every aspect was great. The bakers, the talent, the production team all made me feel at home, and comfortable. They all made this experience brilliant!”

He continued, “I miss the time in the tent so much now, I feel very lucky to have been a part of GBBO 24, a great year. I’m sad it’s over. That being said, I’m excited for the future, and I can’t wait for Christmas! Hopefully creating lots of new memories with eveyone on the show!”

Georgie, who almost quit in the penultimate episode, also shared her letter, which started, “Words can’t describe how it feels to have won The Great British Bake Off. Last year I set a goal to do something for me, but never did I think it would be on this scale.”

“Neurodivergency has set me back in my life, but now I know it was not ADHD holding me back, only the limitations I put on myself,” she explained. “I have met the most special people in the tent, lifelong friends. It has been the best time of my life. Never put limitations on yourself. Chase your dreams.”

What did you think of the Great British Baking Show winner? Did your favorite win? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The Great British Baking Show, Season 15, Fridays, Netflix

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Paul Hollywood

Paul Hollywood

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Alison Hammond

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Nigella Lawson

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  1. G

    GreenQuill

    Dylan and Christiaan had an amazing season, but each episode including the final is stand alone, past performance is only considered if final results are equal. In every episode the showstopper can pull someone to star baker even if they performed poorly on the previous two bakes. The showstopper has ALWAYS been a greater weight when judging the overall performance. There is significant precedence for Georgie's showstopper, which far outclassed the other two, to launch her above Christiaan's stellar two previous bakes. Every episode stands on its own merit, and Showstoppers rule the episodes. From an overall season, Dylan certainly deserved it. That is just not how the format works.

    10

  2. O

    OliveBeer

    I wasn’t rooting for Georgie but she killed it in the finale and that is the bake that counts. As in star baker each week it’s who performed the best and that’s how the finale weekend should be. They all walked in with a clean slate and she did the best. I was crushed for Dylan but I see he’s in a Michelin star restaurant and Cheers to him

    8

    1. P

      PurpleRing

      I agree with you 💯 ..and also happy where Dylan ended up, he will surely continue to make a name for himself..that Michelin star restaurant knew they were getting a great talented chef ❤️ plus he is gorgeous 🥰

      3

  3. C

    CyanTag

    Would've been happy if any of the three had won the series but Georgie won the episode and I'm happy for her. It was a great season.

    8

  4. G

    GoldPizza

    I was pulling for Dylan but Georgie really pulled it off and came into her own in the end.

    6

  5. G

    GreenGoggles

    Alison was wrong. Georgie may have won the prize, but there were no losers in that tent.

    5

  6. C

    CyanLamp

    It was a great season! Congratulations to Christiaan, Dylan, and Georgie making it to the final, and Georgie for the win!

    6 1

  7. G

    GoldChilli

    Christiaan was my favourite throughout. I really thought he should have won.

    3

  8. O

    OliveHelmet

    You are only as good as your last bake

    3

  9. P

    PurpleFlame

    I loved watching this season. "Well done" to all the bakers! And a special "Congratulations" to Georgie!!

    5 2

  10. O

    OrangeController

    I definitely thought Christiaan was going to win but they didn’t like the flavor of his showstopper, too much, overpowering. While Georgie’s was a work of art. They said multiple times during the season that “ you are only as good as your last bake”!

    2

  11. O

    OrangeScissors

    Well I think they need new judges there to old fashion in there tastes,and no Georgie should not have won but we don't get a choice.