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Great British Bake Off 2015 finale is most-watched TV programme of the year with 14 million viewers

It wasn’t just Nadiya that was celebrating yesterday as BBC One get ratings win

Matilda Battersby

Thursday 08 October 2015 14:11 BST

The Great British Bake Off 2015 judges and contestants (BBC)

Last night’s Great British Bake Off might have featured towering cakes but it has also reached the dizzy heights of the most-watched television programmes across all channels so far this year.

The finale of the baking competition, won by Nadiya Jamir Hussain for her impressive wedding cake showstopper, was watched by an average of 13.4 million viewers, according to overnight ratings.

The peak at 8.55pm was watched by 14.5 million, beating last year's figure of 13.3 million.

The programme, presented by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, also took the cake for the most watched non-sport programme on a Wednesday night since Christmas Day 2002.

Nadiya took the prize after 10 weeks and 30 challenges during which her creativity and humour made her a favourite with viewers.

Nadiya Hussain competes in The Great British Bake Off 2015 (BBC)

The 30-year-old mother from Leeds beat fellow finalists Tamal Ray, 29, and three-time Star Baker Ian Cumming, 41.

Nadiya, who had previously expressed fears that she would be seen as “just a headscarf”, delighted fans with her varied facial expressions as she switched between delight, despair, shock, terror and joy as she baked her way to victory.

She wowed the judges with last week’s biscuit peacock and during the finale produced faultless iced buns, millefeuille and a Union Jack-themed wedding cake wrapped in a sari.

Nadiya said: “I went into the tent as the smallest baker at 4ft 11in but I walked out feeling a giant - almost as tall as my fellow baker, six-footer Mat Riley.”

Nadiya Jamir Hussain (centre) has earned the Prime Minister's backing in the Bake Off final (BBC)

Charlotte Moore, the controller of BBC One, said: “Event television at its best! The dramatic and emotional final of The Great British Bake Off rose to the occasion and brought the nation together on BBC One to become the most watched TV show of the year with 13.4 million viewers, and a peak audience of 14.5 million, smashing last year's final.

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

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1/12The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Nadiya, 30

Full-time mother of three Nadiya lives in Leeds with her husband. Born in Luton to a Bangladeshi family, she grew up wondering why her father only sold ice cream as a desert in his restaurant, as deserts aren’t a major mealtime in Bangladesh, so she soon got out a whisk to make her own

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Marie, 66

This year's oldest contestant, Marie was entered by her daughter who claims the baker couldn’t "even boil an egg" while she was growing up. The turning point was when she moved to Paris and was inspired by the patisseries. We’re expecting some amazing croissants

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Alvin, 37

Father of two, Alvin is originally from the Philippines but now works as a nurse in Berkshire. According to the BBC, he’s a true perfectionist who once repeatedly baked bread each day for three weeks until he got it just right

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Dorret, 53

Originally from the West Indies, Dorret actually grew up in Preston and now works as an accountant. She enjoys hosting dinner parties with her husband to “impress their friends with their skills”

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Flora, 19

The youngest baker in this year’s competition, Flora is an assistant at a contemporary art gallery and is currently waiting to start her history of art degree. Expect some tastefully arranged cakes

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Ian, 41

Travel photographer Ian lives with his wife and two children in Cambridgeshire. Recently, he’s become more of a house husband, making his family fresh bread every day, but that doesn't stop him being the Dalai Lama's personal photographer when he's in the UK

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Mat, 37

Fire Fighter Mat began baking three years ago in between work shifts and is a self-confessed “competent amateur” who “learns every time he bakes”. His ambition, apparently, is to one day own a dishwasher

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Paul, 49

Prison governor Paul sees being on the show as “an opportunity to show that men like me, stereotyped by our jobs do and can love baking and that it is a skill and talent to be proud of.” The Welshman also enjoys exploring the countryside with his wife and three sons

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Sandy, 49

Mother of one, Sandy is a child welfare officer who lives near Bradford. Describing her baking style bluntly, she said: “it might not be glamorous but it’s tasty”

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Stu, 35

Professional musician Stu has toured the world, and according to these photos, has a hat surgically attached to his head. The lead singer used to watch his parents in their restaurant and was amazed “how something liquid could go in and out would come this fluffed up awesomeness”

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Tamal, 29

Tamal’s parents moved from India to Hertfordshire in the 1960’s, his older sister soon teaching him to bake. He is now a trainee anaesthetist in Manchester, and once baked a five tier wedding cake

BBC

The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the 12 contestants

Ugne, 32

Originally from Lithuania, Ugne’s main hobby may be baking but she is primarily a bodybuilder. She lives in Essex with her partner, also a bodybuilder, and two children. She's the one who said cake is a "nutritional sin"

BBC

“Congratulations Nadiya and the Bake Off team!”

The Great British Bake Off will return to BBC One next year.

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