Former Bake Off contestant Mak says show had 'genuine drama'

Mak, who starred on series 11 of the show, paid a visit to BBC Breakfast this morning, Friday, to share his experience of the Bake-Off tent. 

A management accountant by day, Mak showed off his skills by bringing along a home-made vegetable quiche and a coffee and almond gateau for presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt to try. 

Speaking about his time in the tent, the Sharples dad-of-three said the drama of TV programme could translate well onto the stage 

Mak brought bakes for presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt. Photo: BBC Breakfast

He said: "There is genuine drama, when you look at it, there is intense focus on the kitchen, there's cameras everywhere, you open a drawer and there's a camera there. 

"It is a very intense environment and people do get stressed and emotionally attached to what they're making as well and if it goes wrong people are in tears." 

Despite the pressure of the Bake-Off tent, Mak says he was able to keep it together. 

He said:" I'm okay about my baking, and i'm sort of level headed but I do understand people have different personalities, they've got so much riding on their bakes as well." 

The self-taught baker says he joined the show with an open mind after his daughter encouraged him to apply. 

He said: "My daughter, she's always pushing me to do these wild things, I had the application come through the emails and I just applied and it just kept going forward and forward." 

A sneak peek of the new musical. Photo: BBC Breakfast Mak's appearence on the show ended at episode two of the 11th series of the programme which aired in 2020.

Great British Bake Off: The Musical will premiere at a sold-out show the Everyman theatre in Cheltenham on Friday, July 22.

Tickets have been selling like hot cakes with almost every date down its last few remaining tickets.

The musical, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and written by Jack Brunger and Pippa Clearly, will pay homage and poke fun at the iconic show. 

It will run at the Everyman Theatre until Saturday, August 6.