GBBO star Howard Middleton DEFENDS show’s racy innuendos and ‘refreshing’ banter – insisting programme is all about the bakers
BAKE Off favourite Howard Middleton has given the thumbs up to soggy bottoms and DEFENDED the show's sexual innuendo-filled episodes.
The Series Four contestant, who was plagued by a series of unfortunate mishaps which included his custard being swiped from the fridge, exclusively told The Sun Online the programme remained wholly focused on the contestants - despite the swell of willy-shaped puds.
Bake Off resumed this year on new broadcaster Channel 4, with veteran host Mary Berry replaced by chef Prue Leith.
Yet Mary's absence hasn't meant the crude comments and phallic references have ceased. In fact, fans have been left even more stunned.
Series four star Howard, who was voted out in week six, will be well-remembered for his inadvertent mishaps in the tent.
These included host Sue Perkins elbowing one of his freshly baked muffins and fellow baker Deborah Manger stealing his custard.
And all of those VT clips of him running of course.
Cheeky Howard, who is whipping up sweet treats for Macmillan's coffee morning, was first to tell us: "I love a little bit of innuendo personally.
"There's always a cheeky side. That's partly about the fact people love that British sense of humour, which has got cheekiness to it.
"It's wonderful that it is all about the bakers - they are the most important aspect to it."
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Yorkshire-based Howard, who has gone on to release his own collection of gluten-free recipes, added: "When you've got new characters its always going to be a different element.
"I think Prue is fantastic. She's stepped into the role really easily and really well.
"It seems to be working really well from my point of view.
"It seems to have the spirit of the old Bake Off but it's got a freshness to it as well."
He will tackle his next big baking challenge today, in aid of Macmillan's Coffee Morning, at swanky London venue The Royal Horseguards Hotel.
Howard told us the foodie fundraiser had special meaning for him, as his dad is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Lifting the lid on what bakes guests can expect from 11am, he said: "Because it's a five-star hotel we should have something star baked.
"So we have got gingerbread star biscuits with stem ginger and we may get a bit of gold leaf on there, to get a bit of exclusivity.
"I'm doing a coffee cake, I thought it was appropriate to do something coffee flavoured.
"It's a mochachino one, it's got chocolate, coffee and hazelnut wafers and quite a bit of fresh cream in as well.
"You're doing it for such a good cause and you really want to pull out all the stops."
Howard is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 29 September at The Royal Horseguards Hotel. To find an event near you to get involved in or make a donation go to