Great British Bake Off 'star' who stole viewers hearts has 'unexplained illness'

Greaty British Bake Off winner Georgie Grasso revealed her chicken Fanny had a mystery illness as she appeared on spin-off show Extra Slice. The Welsh baker and paediatric nurse had introduced Channel 4 viewers to Fanny early in the competition when she decided to dedicate her illusion cake to capturing her feathery likeness.

Judge Prue Leith remarked the cake had 'real personality' while Paul Hollywood said the idea had 'paid off', praising her feather details.

As Georgie appeared on Extra Slice to discuss her win, host Jo Brand asked: "How is Fanny?" George revealed: "She's got a rash at the moment, we don't know what's wrong with her."

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Georgie also revealed she had been receiving a lot of attention in her home town in Carmethenshire since winning the show. She said: "Because we live in such a small town everyone knows everone, so everyone is just coming up going 'Can we have your autograph'...'No I'm not doing that, no way'. In the supermarkets one lady just stopped and stared at me...it's surreal."

Host Jo Brand also asked what the most difficult part of the final was for her. Georgie confessed: "Getting it [hanging cake] onto that stand. So I was climbing onto the desk at one point to get it on."

She said she would never make a hanging cake again. After her win, Georgie said: "This is mad! I have won it, I can't believe it. This is just incredible. I can't believe that I have won The Great British Bake Off. It just means everything, I have always been so self doubtful. I have got this and that wrong with me and think I can't do it, and you make excuses. For once I thought I am just going to go for it and put my everything into it. I am just so proud of myself because I have proved I can do it, and now I am here today the Winner!"