Bake Off winner David Atherton shares inspirational post of encouragement
He took home the crown!
Last updated 30th Oct 2019
The Great British Bake Off has its winner! After weeks of baking, the baker's dozen of contestants for the 2019 series was whittled down to three finalists - David Atherton, Steph Blackwell and Alice Fevronia.
Four-time Star Baker Steph, two-time Star Baker Alice and underdog David went through the three challenges - making the ultimate chocolate cake, a cheese soufflé for their technical and a picnic basket of treats.
Although Steph had the upper hand from experience, she wasn't able to hold her nerve - leaving it down to Alice and David... And David was announced as the winner!
David has now taken to Instagram himself to share the happy news of his win, and to also encourage people to push themselves and do things outside of their comfort zones in an inspirational post.
Sharing a photo of himself holding a rainbow balloon, David wrote, 'Wow, wow, wow, can someone explain to me what just happened? It's almost exactly 12 months since I applied for Bake Off and this was never in the plan. I didn't think I'd get through the auditions and now I'm writiing this as the winner of series 10.
'Can people just go for it please, apply for things, push boundaries, but through it all be kind and be yourself. The real prize from this experience was making so many new friends. I know it sounds cheesy, but actually you need support, love and friendship otherwise all this is empty #reachfortheunreachable.'
Scroll through to see all the Bake Off contestants from the 2019 series...
Rosie, 28, Somerset
Given a children's baking book age five, Rosie started early. As an on-call veterinary surgeon, she now uses baking to relax and keep her nurses happy – often baking through the night. Inspired by rural life, she takes her passion for animals into her baking in the best way.
Alice, 28, Essex
Beginning her obsession with baking in her teen years, when a scoliosis operation left her recovering at home, Alice is a geography teacher. In fact, she sounds like the best geography teacher of all time as she states she teaches using baking – demonstrating volcanic activity with cakes.
Henry, 20, Durham
This university student is living his life's dream on GBBO this year, having only got into baking after a Bake Off tent was pitched up in his local park at age 12. Having spent eight years honing is craft, he now bakes for his student friends at Durham University.
Phil, 56, Essex
Motorbike enthusiast and HGV driver, Phil has baked since school being introduced to it in his home economics class. Passionate about focaccia, granary bread and brioche, he bakes up to five times a week and sounds like our dream husband.
David, 36, Yorkshire
A bread connoisseur, David is an international health advisor who got into baking watching his mum. Apparently, the family never ate shop-bought bread at home, so naturally that's his strong point. However, he's also terrified of Paul Hollywood, so let's hope he rises to the occasion (yes pun very much intended).
Priya, 24, Leicester
Another baker since near-birth, Priya started baking in her primary school's after-school club. Although apparently, her real obsession began when she was given a mixer as a wedding gift seven years ago, now experimenting with began baking in her spare time from being a marketing consultant.
Michelle, 25, Tenby
This welsh shop administrator grew up on a farm baking almost every other day. A fan of fresh bread and sweet treats, Michelle is literally all of us on an all-inclusive holiday eating bread rolls and three desserts with every meal.
Dan, 32, Rotherham
Dan is a support worker, but more importantly, he's a feeder. At least, he sounds like one. Getting into baking to impress his romantic interests at 21, he even baked his own wedding cake in what seems like a highly-unnecessary way to make your wedding day 80x more stressful. Of course, being used to that kind of pressure makes us think he'll be at ease in the GBBO tent.
Amelia, 24, Halifax
As a fashion designer, Amelia brings her keen eye to detail into her baking with intricate decorations her greatest passion. Honing her skills while at university, she cites her best bake as a snow leopard cake she made for her nephews 5th birthday.
Steph, 28, Chester
The ultimate millennial baker, Steph makes healthy bakes by incorporating fruit and vegetables into her recipes. The shop assistant, while passionate about sports and wellness, is also a very messy baker – so perhaps not as Instagram-friendly as you would think!
Jamie, 20, Surrey
Another youngster inspired by Bake Off, he only starting baking after watching the show and attempting his own plaited loaf. Essentially living his life in training for this show, he has taken on multiple technical challenges in his own time – which he seems to have a lot of as a part-time waiter.
Michael, 26, Stratford-upon-Avon
A Geordie turned Scott after moving to Scone aged seven, Michael is part theatre manager part fitness instructor – essentially, the ultimate millennial mix, even our drama students these days have fitness Instagram's. Inspired by his Indian heritage when baking, he claims to be best at cakes and pastry.
Helena, 40, Leeds
Raised in Lanzarote, Helena's baking is inspired by her Spanish grandmother. Born in North Africa before moving to Spain, she has also lived in Las Vegas where she got into baking for the first time. With all her bakes infused with Spanish flavours, she is one to watch.
Congratulations David!
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