Lee Banfield has been booted off 'The Great British Bake Off'.

Lee Banfield

Lee Banfield

The popular baking show returned for its seventh series tonight (24.08.16), but the 67-year-old pastor became the first to get from the chop from the programme after the 12 budding bakers were given three challenges to complete.

He said afterwards: "I was disappointed to be the first off, but I've always enjoyed baking. At church I do baking demonstrations."

Judge Paul Hollywood said: "It's very sad but as I've just been saying to him, you are one of the 12 best amateur bakers in the country. You should be very proud."

Contestant Jane Beedle was left delighted after she was awarded the weekly Star Baker title.

She said: "Can you believe it? I don't believe it."

Teacher Candice Brown admitted afterwards she didn't know how she'd managed to survive the boot after her mirror glazed cake left her in tears.

She told the cameras: "Right, come on, Candice. Sort yourself out, you'll smash it next week.

"Please, no more crying."

For their first challenge of the series, the 12 contestants were given two hours to make a lemon drizzle cake, which happened to be Paul's favourite.

Fellow judge Mary Berry set the second technical challenge, which was announced by co-hosts by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, to make 12 Jaffa cakes.

Selasi Gbormittah's Jaffa cakes were judged to be the best, while Andrew Smyth had the worst.

Their third and final challenge of the episode saw the bakers tasked with making a mirror glazed cake which led to mixed results with Andrew redeeming himself after his lacklustre Jaffas.

But Candice was left in tears as Paul slammed her effort.

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