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Michael Chakraverty leaves Great British Bake Off

Michael Chakraverty has been booted from ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
The 26-year-old theatre manager and fitness trainer has become the eighth contestant sent home from the Channel 4 baking competition, after he failed to deliver during the show’s Festival Week, which aired on Tuesday (08.10.19).
But the baking hopeful wasn’t too disheartened with the decision, as he admitted he felt as though it was his "time" to go.
He said after the result was revealed: "It was my time, it was okay. My head is held high and I am so proud."
And speaking about why he chose to eliminate Michael, judge Paul Hollywood said: "He did ok but the standard this week was so high."
Festival Week saw the remaining bakers tasked with creating bakes inspired by various festivals celebrated around the world.
The signature challenge involved a yeasted bun, whilst the technical challenge was comprised of the famously tricky deep fried Sicilian Cassatelle, which are traditionally served for Carnevale in Italy, and are small crescent shapes filled with sweetened ricotta.
For the showstopper, the bakers crafted colourful kek lapis Sarawak layer cakes from Malaysia, which are served in the state of Sarawak on special occasions.
Speaking about his disaster in the tent, Michael said: "In the technical my Cassatelles exploded – and had the dreaded soggy bottom. And even though I spiced up my showstopper with rum for my Jamaican Mule Sarawak, it didn’t impress the judges enough to keep me in the tent."
Elsewhere in the show, 20-year-old student Henry Bird was named star baker, after delivering a lemon and lime showstopper which wowed judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
Michael’s departure means he narrowly misses out on a place in the quarter finals, which will air next Tuesday (15.10.19).