Gloria Hunniford has offered an explanation for her sudden exit during the judgement of her magician-themed cake in the recent Celebrity Bake Off episode.
The Loose Women panellist disappeared towards the show's conclusion where presenter Alison Hammond mentioned she was "not feeling very well".
However, the 85-year-star old experienced a "terrible fall" behind the scenes which led to her precautionary hospital visit.
Speaking to the Mirror, she expressed her regret at missing out on the final critique but shared no regrets about participating.
"I had a terrible fall at the end of the programme, so I never got to finish it," Hunniford disclosed.
She hadn’t expected to win but still took pride in her creation, saying: "I thought my dice cake looked pretty good! For me, it looked amazing, considering I'd never baked before. And the theme was inspired by my dad, it was my mother's recipe, which I really liked.
"I practiced it at home, and gave it to my son for his birthday, so it really tied in with the family theme. I don't think I would have won, but I was really pleased with it."
She elaborated on the sentimental value of the cake, which used her mother's recipe and paid homage to her father.
The cake had even been trialled for her son’s birthday, encapsulating a family theme that was important to her, reports the Mirror.
Since the episode – which contributed to Stand Up to Cancer and was recorded last summer – Gloria has reassuringly returned to TV on multiple occasions.
In the meantime, audiences were left puzzled over her absence after witnessing Jim Howick from Ghosts secure the Star Baker title with his impressive drum-kit inspired bake.
In a heartfelt Instagram update, she shared: "Hi everybody, I just wanted to say how much I really, really enjoyed being on Bake Off. It was fun, it was interesting meeting Paul, it was a great experience - and, not having baked before, it actually taught me quite a lot.
"It was a real shame that I missed being there for the showstopper because, unfortunately, I had a fall and ended up in hospital for some screening - but I was fine.
"And I wanted to say as well that I am a great, great supporter not only of the programme, which I adore, but also of Stand Up to Cancer because not only, sadly, did I lose my gorgeous daughter to cancer but last year, very sadly as well, I lost my husband Stephen.
"So cancer is very foremost in our family in terms of support. And I think that the programme, and what it does through the programme, is absolutely brilliant."
Support poured in from her followers, with one commenting: "To endure the loss of her daughter and husband to cancer is unimaginable. To be transported to the hospital during competition is frustrating. So glad she is doing okay. Her resilience is amazing. Gloria, you are one tough cookie!".
The final showstopper challenge on the show featured four contestants, including comedian Jamali Maddix and model Ellie Goldstein, along with Gloria and Jim. They were set the task of creating cakes representing their "best kept secret".
Gloria paid tribute to her father, a journalist turned evening magician, elaborating: "My dad, although he was a newspaper man by day, was a magician by night. I'm trying to do my dad justice, I think he'd love to look down and think 'oh my gosh, you're doing that in my memory."
As anticipation grew for judges Paul Hollywood and Caroline Waldegrave to critique her cake, Gloria unexpectedly disappeared from the stage.
Presenter Alison Hammond clarified that Noel Fielding would step in for the judging due to Gloria feeling under the weather, jokingly adding that with Gloria's top hat, Paul looked akin to "the child-catcher".
Banter between Gloria and the judges brought a light-hearted feel to the episode, as she teased Paul about having a fake tan, to which he responded: "No! I've just been to the Maldives."
She also made him chuckle after he criticised her brandy snaps for being "gritty", to which she quipped: "A bit like you."
The Great British Bake Off is available to catch up on the Channel 4 website
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