Bake Off star excited for future after leaving job

The 28-year-old former PE and Science teacher said he was exploring his options after leaving his teaching position

A winner of The Great British Bake Off said he was “excited” to see what the future held after he quit his “much-loved” teaching job.

Matty Edgell, 28, from Peterborough, described his last day on Friday at the city's Hampton College as “extremely emotional”.

Edgell won the 14th season of the competition last November, and said after “juggling two passions” of teaching and baking he has decided to focus on the latter.

The former PE and science teacher said he was now exploring his options, which included potentially “writing a book, getting back into television and starting [my] own cake businesses”.

Matty Edgell (left) said that he is “apprehensive yet excited” for his new chapter

Edgell said he has wanted to be a teacher since the age of 14 and to walk away from the job was not what he “expected”.

He described his professional life as “incredible”, with social media campaigns for brands including Carnations and Nestlé keeping him “extremely busy”.

“I have had loads of 'pinch me' moments,” Edgell said.

“I got to work with West Ham as well, which was pretty cool. I thought my days of seeing myself on Sky Sports - that dream had long gone, but it happened.

“Bake Off gave me an opportunity to explore an avenue that was so far out of the equation.

“If I didn't take it, I would forever look back and think what if so?”

‘New chapter ahead’

Edgell felt his past routine of attending events in London after a day's teaching was unsustainable.

He hoped that leaving his teaching job would allow him to work with more people and explore other opportunities.

“I think the next big thing that I've got my eyes on is a book. It's still a work in progress, and I'm hopeful of something coming up soon.

“I would also like to get back into television - whether that be a cooking or a baking show.

“I found it fascinating - being inside the TV and seeing how it all comes together was mind blowing.”

“Also, I am kind of building my own brand and cake businesses.”

Matty Edgell said he was “determined” to keep going and continue his social media work, and added that he was “apprehensive yet excited” for the new chapter.

He said he was "extremely grateful" to all his students and school for their continued support over the past year.