Channel 4 Bake Off fans react to Matty's victory as they claim other baker 'should have won'

After three bakers whisked their way to the final, only one of them could have their cake and eat it

Bake Off fans were served their final slice of action last night as the gripping 2023 series came to an end. Tuesday night's final saw the three remaining bakers - Dan, Matty and Josh - battle it out for the winning title after ten eventful weeks in the tent.

Last week's semi-final saw Bristolian baker Tasha narrowly miss out on making it to the final hurdle. The "inspirational" participation officer, who made history as the first deaf contestant to enter the tent, penned a sweet message to "gutted" fans following her elimination last week, describing the experience as a "dream".

Éclairs, lardy cake slices and elegant tiered celebration cakes based on each contestant's first bake were what the final three were tasked with whipping up in last night's final. Ultimately, it was PE teacher Matty who was crowned the winner of series 14, with the Cambridgeshire contestant having a lot to thank his girlfriend, Lara, for after she signed him up for the show behind his back.

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After being announced as this year's winner, Matty gushed about his Bake Off experience in a message to fans, promising he will "never forget" his time in the tent. "Ah…& just like that, it’s all over!" he penned.

"It’s difficult to put into words how grateful I am to have been part of this experience. Spending the summer baking in a tent is something I will never forget & it’s taught me so much about myself,"

Matty added: "I am so thankful to the other bakers (& Daryl) for making this an experience of a lifetime. The support, the laughs, all of it! Thank you so much!

"To those that work behind the camera, I can’t thank you enough! You have made our experience what it was, we were able to have so much fun in that tent because you made us feel so welcome & comfortable! Thanks for all the memories! Matty."

But Matty's victory has polarised viewers, with some fans wishing that another baker had taken home the crown. On X, formerly Twitter, fans both celebrated and lamented Matty's victory.

Mark said: "Massive cheer went up in this house …chuffed for him." Patricia wrote: "What a worthy winner and what a guy … shout out to Daryl speaks volumes."

Meanwhile, other fans questioned whether Matty was truly deserving of the Bake Off 2023 crown. "Surely Matty hasn't actually pulled this off?" Dan said. "His Technical was partly raw but Josh's Showstopper got slated for its flavours while Matty's was almost perfect bar a lean?"

Dianne posted: "I’m so happy for Matty - lovely guy, who has improved so much - but really think that Josh should have won. Going to miss Bake Off!"

"OMG #GBBO!" Brad said. "What the hell?! Josh was robbed! Matty was great but Josh was CLEARLY the best of that trio!"

Following last night's final, Matty has revealed that he is engaged to his girlfriend, Lara. The news was shared after the pre-recorded episode aired, with Matty popping the question during a romantic getaway to Sorrento.

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