First elimination result revealed on The Great British Bake Off

The first episode of the new series of The Great British Bake Off has ended with none of the 12 bakers being sent home.

After Nigella Lawson was introduced as the new judge, replacing Dame Prue Leith alongside Paul Hollywood, the bakers were challenged to a Signature take on a Nigella classic of a “sumptuous” Guinness chocolate cake.

The technical gave them two hours to recreate a decadent coffee and walnut cake based off a drawing, then the first Showstopper required them to make a Self-Portrait cake, featuring at least two layers, in the space of four hours.

After some deliberation Paul and Nigella named this year’s youngest competitor – 21-year-old law student Mo Mahirr – as the first Star Baker after he made a lemon and blueberry portrait cake comprising lemon sponge, Swiss meringue buttercream and blueberry compote.

Shannon Amy, 29, meanwhile, had been working on a zesty cake named ‘The Many Layers of Shazza’ featuring lemon sponge, lemon curd and vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream – but fell ill in the final stages of her bake and had to go home early.

As a result Paul and Nigella decided that it would be unfair to send anyone home, with Alison Hammond telling the group: “Unfortunately I have the sad job of announcing which baker is leaving. The first baker leaving the tent is… no-one! You are all safe, well done!”

The Great British Bake Off continues Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.