Who left Bake Off last night? Here's what happened during Caramel Week - including who was Star Baker

There were some sticky situations during episode eight last night (Tuesday, November 10), with judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson asking for a series of sweet treats which will help decide which bakers make it through to the semi-final.

The signature challenge was a traditional British dessert: treacle tart, which must be paired with a tasty accompaniment - such as ice cream - and homemade golden syrup. Then it was a fairly standard technical, but one with a tight timeframe, with the bakers asked to make well-set millionaire’s shortbread in just and hour and a half.

The showstopper was a nougatine sculpture, with a praline dessert, which was a challenge inspired by the Hungarian grillazstorta. The bakers were given four hours to complete this project, which proved hugely stressful for some.

It was also an episode which helped even the playing field among the bakers, with each sliding up and down the rankings as the challenges continued.

With that being said, here’s who stood out from the crowd to earn Star Baker and who was the unlucky contestant sent home ahead of the semi-finals.

Who won Star Baker during episode 8?

Moyin was named Star Baker during Caramel Week.

Despite being awarded the first Hollywood Handshake of series 17, after weeks of narrowly missing out Moyin earned Star Baker for the first time during the quarter-final.

His consistency and growth became apparent, and his signature sticky toffee pudding treacle tart impressed the judges while his attempt at millionaire’s shortbread saw him come in second during the technical.

Then in the showstopper, Moyin presented the judges with his nougatine sculpture which was inspired by his grandmother and “Omo Oba”, a song she made for him growing up. Hollywood described the overall bake as “spot on”, while Lawson said it was a “dainty little cake”.

Sign up to our free Scran food and drink newsletter, here

Who left Bake Off last night?

Unfortunately, it was Connie who left Bake Off following episode eight.

The NHS worker had a huge impact on those in the tent, but a rough two weeks in the competition. She struggled with raw pastry and a soggy bottom with her old-school treacle tart signature, and placed fourth for her millionaire’s shortbread in the technical.

But her woes didn’t end there. Connie seemingly had some trouble with her timings in the showstopper, and she became so flustered that Hollywood stepped in and gently suggested that she take five minutes away from the tent, watching the water.

The sweet interaction helped Connie come back stronger, and she was able to present the judges with a mostly complete showstopper nougatine sculpture. Her nougatine box wasn’t quite where it needed to be, but Hollywood commented that he “loved” her cake - much to the baker’s joy.

In the end it wasn’t enough to redeem her, and it was a visibly emotional Noel Fielding who announced her time in the tent had come to an end.

“I knew it would be,” Connie said immediately.

Although Moyin had just been named Star Baker, he was also sad to see Connie exiting the competition. She described him as an “adopted son”, and could be seen reassuring him through his tears - before going round the crew and issuing them hugs.

Connie described her Bake Off experience as the “best time ever” and that she had “no regrets”.

Who has made the Bake Off semi-final?

There are now just four bakers from series 17 heading into the semi-final - Gabe, Mo, Moyin, and Tom.

Tom has been named Star Baker three times and will be gunning for a fourth win. Meanwhile, Gabe, Mo, and Moyin have each only earned the title once throughout eight weeks of Bake Off.

Although he was Star Baker last week, Gabe was at risk during the quarter-final. Tom also had some issues in the showstopper which hurt his chances of Star Baker during the most recent episode.

Mo, however, had a good week and was in contention for a second title alongside Moyin, though ultimately missed out after placing fifth in the technical.

When is The Great British Bake Off semi-final?

The Great British Bake Off semi-final will be on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, November 17.

It is the last episode before the series 17 final and, following Bake Off tradition, will see the bakers will face Patisserie Week.

All episodes of The Great British Bake Off series 17 are available to stream on the Channel 4 app.