Great British Bake Off 2017: Star baker is Sophie, James is sent home

When your chocolate pudding comes out raw, it's time to say goodbye

It was pudding week on The Great British Bake Off (PA)

Another week, another victory. And, sadly, another great loss.

First the good news: Sophie scooped up star baker, after Paul Hollywood declared her Yuzu showstopper Michelin-starred quality. She'd been a close contender waiting in the wings behind Steven in weeks one and two, so it seemed only fair she finally got her deserved win.

But, alas, it was James' time to leave having barely scraped by on Caramel Week; struck down by a stodgy orange steamed pudding and a Union Jack showstopper far too firm and sugary.

And as host Noel Fielding had warned during the episode, "If I see any stodge creeping into the tent – get out. The thing about stodge, is when you tell stodge to leave the tent, it will do it slowly."

Prue had even told him his design was misguided before he'd started making it. Truly, there was no break for James in episode 5, and it seemed inevitable he'd be departing into the night.

Not that this week was easy for the bakers, as Paul Hollywood deliberately withheld the baking times needed for the technical's perfect chocolate pudding, with competitors guessing anywhere between eight to 35 minutes.

James had done some revision the night before and had glanced at molten volcano cake, thinking he'd hit a stroke of luck. Or not, as his turned out completely raw. Adieu, James.

Bake Off airs every Tuesday on Channel 4 at 8pm.