Bake Off final – as it happened: Rahul triumphs and the four other talking points

Until next year, Paul, Prue, Noel and Sandi

The Great British Bake Off 2018 winner announced

Another year, another series of The Great British Bake Off comes to an end.

Despite having multiple catastrophes over the course of the final, Rahul managed to win Paul and Prue's adoration to be named this year's champion. Ruby and Kim-Joy tried their hardest, keeping cool heads throughout, but neither had quite the culinary flair of the winning baking wizard.

The Independent live-blogged along with the episode, which you can read below. Before that, here are the five biggest talking points from the episode.

Rahul's showstopping nightmare

While he may have eventually created a stunning showstopper (made to look like a rock garden), Rahul's final bake got off to a horrific start: a glass jar exploded at his workstation because of the heat, contaminating his ingredients and meaning he had to start all over again. Luckily, Paul and Prue offered him an extra 15 minutes to complete the 200 components required to make the showstopper. Talk about pushing yourself.

The wood-fire technical challenge

For apparently the first time in Bake Off history, the finalists' technical challenge did not take place in the tent, but outside. Under the blazing summer sun, the trio made pitta bread. And under the blazing summer sun, they all struggled, particularly Rahul who didn't quite understand how to manage the fire. When Kim-Joy came out the winner of the technical challenge, she seemed a sure-fire hit to take home the winner's trophy. Of course, her Atlantis-inspired showstopper couldn't top Rahul's (with Paul calling her's "slightly flat").

Ruby, what happened?

Ruby came into the final a firm favourite to win, having astonished the judges by taking home Star Baker the previous two weeks. However, an unfortunate tasting doughnut to start the final, following by last place in the technical, and Ruby was at the bottom of the pack. On the plus side, if any of these finalists are to become a media personality in the near future, it'll no doubt be the charming Ruby.

Another Rahul misstep

Yes, we've spoken about Rahul's disastrous smashed glass incident, and his inability to keep a fire going. But lest we forget that the eventual winner also managed to burst his icing bag while filling up a doughnut, leaving behind a fruity mess. It's bewildering that Rahul has managed to look after himself in the real world at this point.

And that's that

Every time The Great British Bake Off comes to an end the waterworks start going. There are tears galore on screen, and occasionally even some at home. Perhaps the most heart-wrenching moment this year was Rahul's calling his proud mother to say he won. A lovely moment to end the series on. Until next year, Paul, Prue, Noel and Sandi.

Read along as it happened with our live-blog below. Please allow a moment to load.

Bake Off returns next year on Chanel 4.

[30 October 2018 19:52 · j.shepherd]

Only 10 minutes to go. Before then, enjoy this picture of Rahul

[30 October 2018 19:58 · j.shepherd]

Three minutes to go! Will Rahul steal the crown? Will Ruby stay cool under pressure? And will Kim-Joy create another cat-inspired bake? Let's find out!

[30 October 2018 20:01 · j.shepherd]

So it begins. The Bake Off finale is here, beginning with a quick montage of all those bakers past. Plus, Sandi teasing an outdoors challenge? 

[30 October 2018 20:02 · j.shepherd]

No Hawaiian shirts today, just lots of beige... And nerves. Lots of nerves. Especially Rahul... Poor, poor, Rahul.

[30 October 2018 20:03 · j.shepherd]

Prue, Paul, Noel and Sandi are here. To task our contestants with making six beautifully iced doghnuts. Doesn't seem to hard, right?

[30 October 2018 20:05 · j.shepherd]

Rahul, who has never eaten a doghnut, is looking to make a very messy doghnut. Is this the time and place, Rahul?

[30 October 2018 20:07 · j.shepherd]

Ruby's pushing herself for the final, going for two types of doughs. And we're getting some of her back story, with an almost teary-eyed mum. It's all getting emotional very quickly.

[30 October 2018 20:08 · j.shepherd]

Kim-Joy cooking with alcohol... and Prue's licking her lips with anticipation.

[30 October 2018 20:09 · j.shepherd]

Rahul's work mates looking at a photo of him: "He's not even smiling there." Oh, Rahul, smile! Aaaaand his friend is almost in tears. The water-works are running tonight.

[30 October 2018 20:11 · j.shepherd]

Kim-Joy seems the coolest here. Her backstory: she met her partner at a board gaming club. Of course! Aaaaand no tears here, just a joke about a handshake.