How does Flora cope with Bake Off nerves? Lots of G&Ts with lime!

FLORA SHEDDEN says late-night sessions in the bar helped her beat any Great British Bake Off nerves.

The Perthshire 19-year-old is the youngest baker in this year’s series, which is pulling in more than 10 million viewers a week. “My favourite moments when filming were when we sat in the hotel bar having a snack and a natter,” Flora told The Sunday Post. “No matter how tired we all were we’d always go for a drink together and unwind. “Everyone needed it I needed lots of G and Ts with lime!” Since moving to BBC One last year, Bake Off has become even more of a national obsession. Twitter goes into meltdown each Wednesday evening and even Flora has become involved in GBBO-themed parties. “Last week I watched the episode with friends who had been away all summer and missed it all. That was lovely. “Normally I watch with my family then go to my neighbours afterwards. She holds a big party for all the locals and they have a competition based on each week’s theme. “I don’t think I could watch with that many people, I still cringe to see myself. I do always try to bake something or a variation from the show, though.”

Flora Shedden (BBC / Love Productions / Mark Bourdillon)

Flora was worried about elimination in last week’s episode after coming up with a cheesecake showstopper she feared was just too simple. Ultimately Mel and Sue announced Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood had decided Bradford single mum Sandra Docherty had to leave the famous tent. And while there have already been several teary screen moments among the contestants, Flora says she’s tried to keep a sense of perspective. “I did have one welling-up moment, but quickly remembered it’s only sponge cake,” she confides. “The heat of the moment does get to you. That and being so knackered you can’t string sentences together. “I thought about having some lucky charm or ritual but in the madness it was all forgotten. “Every time we walked into the tent, though, I would try to settle my nerves by saying it’s just a tent, a national treasure, a baker and two of the most entertaining people I know.” Flora had previously been caught up in a furore over her use of an Aga. And there was a suggestion that some of this year’s hopefuls had professional skills and therefore an unfair advantage. “It is completely crazy,” adds Flora. “Someone misprinted that my family were bakers, which is nonsense. My dad can’t tell the difference between a whisk and a spatula. “I practice every week and love doing it. If you are passionate about something of course you’re going to try to improve your skills and abilities.Flora flummoxed by Aga Aggro – click here