IT’S the moment millions of Great British Bake Off fans have both looked forward to and dreaded.

The excitement around who will be crowned winner in tonight’s final is matched only by the anger that this will be the last “proper” series before the show moves to Channel 4 – minus Mel, Sue and Mary.

So it’s fair to say the contestants won’t be the only ones shedding a tear this week.

Looking back at all the baking triumphs and teary disasters, here’s our baker’s dozen – the highlights from GBBO’s seven heavenly years.

 

Custard Calamity

 

“Poor Howard” trended worldwide on Twitter in series four after a mix-up saw bespectacled Howard left with dodgy custard.

His perfect Crème Anglaise had been accidentally used by rival baker Deborah, whose trifle looked infinitely better as a result. Nice guy Howard didn’t bear a grudge.

 

Baked Alaskagate

Never before has a Baked Alaska caused such a stooshie. It appeared as if baker Diana had left fellow contestant Iain’s Baked Alaska out the freezer in series five, turning it into a soggy mess.

That was far from the full story – but Iain binned the cake and stormed out in the biggest huff ever.

 

Leaning Tower

Mel and Sue are reassuring and comforting but a helping hand by Mel in series four had a disastrous effect.

She toppled Frances’s signature bake, the biscuit tower crashing and crumbling. The contestant proved she was made of stern stuff, though, going on to win the series.

 

Mel And Sue

The pair deliver a comedy masterclass every week, from a cream horn bake introduced with: “The following  signature challenge has been assessed by the double entendre police” to “Bring out the dancing girls and orange segments . . . what do you mean there have  been budget cuts?”

If it’s not the pair chasing each other around the tent it’s Sue with pastry all over her face or ingredients stuffed up her nose.

 

The Crying Game

Tears are as much of a part of the Bake Off recipe as flour and eggs. Every series has seen sobbing, with series four student Ruby just one who was regularly a soggy mess.

Dorrit shed bucketloads last year and poor Benjamina was in floods after missing out on this year’s semi-final but it was Nadiya who really did it when she won in 2015.

Her emotional speech had the nation, and even Mary Berry, blubbing.

 

What a Mess

John Waite may have won series three but not without two major mishaps. He accidentally put salt rather than sugar in his rum babas, leaving an aghast Paul warning Mary against eating any.

And it looked like his days were numbered when he sliced his finger open and couldn’t finish his bakes – but it was decided to send no one home.

 

Norman’s Conquest

Stormin’ Norman Calder, from Buckie, may not have been as successful as James Morton or Flora Shedden but he delighted viewers.

Whether admitting he thought pesto was exotic while defending his simple style or teaching Sue semaphore, the former merchant seaman was always great telly.

 

Boozy Berry

Luis Troyano bowled over baking superstar Mary Berry in series five with his rum-infused cocktail doughnuts, ranging from raspberry mojitos to chocolate mudslides.

“Why are we bothering with the doughnuts?” joked Mary as she sipped on the Baileys filling through a straw.

 

Freeze Frame

Burly firefighter Mat Riley got his fingers burnt in series six, when he somehow accidentally put his icing in the oven instead of into the freezer.

His Tennis Cake technical bake trauma spelled an end to his time on the show – but not before it caused much amusement, especially coming from a man who should have known the difference between hot and cold.

 

Squirrel Showstopper

Viewers went nuts when a talented squirrel and his remarkably large bits sent the internet into a meltdown.

Sue warned viewers they were in for an eyeful before the 2011 final, tweeting: “Trust me, they are anatomically DAZZLING. Enjoy.”

 

Wonderful Wardrobe

Mary’s jazzy jackets saw her become the talk of Twitter. From floral fancies to perfect pastels, by series three Ms Berry had swapped her characterless cardigans for beautiful bombers.

Fans fell in love with the fabulous fashionista.

 

Lion Bread Head

It would take something special to beat Paul Jagger’s roaring success – a lion head made entirely of bread from last year’s series. Even Paul Hollywood said he wouldn’t have attempted it.

Paul’s King of the Jungle got a special commendation – but failed to see him crowned star baker.

 

Strudel Surprise

Buddhist recruitment consultant Brendan was one of series three’s most unpredictable contestants – and when he greased his arms up to maximise the stretch he could get from his strudel dough, viewers were left amused – and also horrified.

His unconventional techniques, however, saw him finish runner-up.

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