Ukrainian who fled war exits Bake Off with pride

Nataliia said she thought her little girl would be proud and hoped she made her country proud of her

A Great British Bake Off contestant who fled the war in Ukraine said she hoped she had made her country proud following her exit from the show.

Nataliia, who now lives in East Yorkshire, failed to win over the judges during pastry week and became the sixth contestant to leave the Channel 4 show.

The 32-year-old office assistant said she had put "heart and soul" into the competition and developed a mindset to "keep going" when things went wrong.

"I am proud of myself and I think my little girl will be proud and I hope I have made my country a bit proud of me," she said.

Nataliia said those she had met on the show were all wonderful people

Judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith asked the bakers to make savoury plaits for their signature, a traditional gala pie for the technical and an intricately sculpted tart for the showstopper challenge.

Nataliia, who moved to the UK four years ago, said her departure from the show at the end of Tuesday's episode "was a bit unexpected".

"I honestly thought my bakes that week were fairly good - and the judges seemed pleased, especially with my showstopper," she said.

"I was emotional, of course - not because of disappointment but because I didn't feel quite ready to say goodbye.

"But the other bakers were amazing. They wrapped me in hugs, kind words, and even a few tears."

'Confidence to dream bigger'

Nataliia said "the magic and challenge" of the show was that one moment it could "lift you up, and the next can really test you".

"I've learned to trust myself more - to bake with my heart, to adapt under pressure and to share my culture with confidence," she said.

In future, Nataliia said she'd love to continue sharing Ukrainian bakes with people in the UK, "maybe through pop-ups, books, or even a little cake cafe one day".

"Being in the tent gave me the confidence to dream bigger - and now, I'd love to keep going," she added.

"I also hope to keep using baking to support Ukrainian causes and connect cultures."

Prior to her exit, co-host Noel Fielding announced medical student Jasmine as star baker for the third week in a row.

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