The Great British Bake Off returned to the nation’s screens this evening for the long-anticipated bread week.

The 10 remaining contestants, including Suffolk’s Sophie Faldo, 33, were tasked with first creating 12 teacakes, which had to be round, identical, and made with enriched dough.

Sophie took on the challenge by making tagine teacakes.

While Prue Leith said they “smell great”, Paul Hollywood, who had had his reservations about the bake, confessed: “I actually quite like them,” before suggesting more spice.

Sophie is a former Royal Artillery officer and now lives in Surrey.

She grew up in Suffolk though, and went to Ipswich High during her school career.

Next up, the team took on their third technical challenge – a cottage loaf, which Sophie took sixth place in.

For this week’s showstopper, contestants had to create a coloured bread sculpture.

Sophie rose to the occasion by spending the four and a half hours making a picnic basket, with Paul praising her plaiting skills.

Safe for another bake, Sophie now goes into caramel week while grandmother Flo was sent home.