"I knew it was my week to go."
In the latest episode of The Great British Bake Off 2025, Nadia Mercuri sadly became the fifth baker to leave the show.
On Tuesday, September 30, the instalment of Channel 4’s baking competition saw the contestants tackle chocolate.
For their signature bake, they were tasked with making chocolate mousses in edible cups.
Nadia chose to bake strawberry chocolate mousses.
During the process, she observed that she was adding things that were not necessary, including the icing.
Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith said Nadia’s mousses were soft and “all over the place”.
The tense chocolate week also showcased a first in the history of The Great British Bake Off.
For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to produce a white chocolate tart.
However, they were not given a recipe and had to choose their own ingredients from a selection of choices.
Nadia chose berries, which would become the main focus of her chocolate tart.
However, her pastry appeared thick and cracked, which forced her to produce a new pastry base.
This led Nadia to have some issues with timing, and she called her final product “laughable”.
As a result, Nadia ranked in last place in this challenge, with Prue labelling her tart as “concrete walls”.
To save herself from being eliminated, Nadia knew she had to deliver in the showstopper.
The showstopper challenge saw the bakers take on an elaborate chocolate fondue display.
Nadia decided to base her bake on Ladies Day. But her chocolate heels were cracked.
While the judges praised her texture and taste, they pointed out that some elements of Nadia’s display were soggy.
Although Toby Littlewood was also in danger of going home, it was Nadia who was eliminated from The Great British Bake Off.
After Alison Hammond announced Nadia’s name, Prue commented:
“I’m really sad to see Nadia go, but she just didn’t quite do enough to save herself.”
Off-screen, Nadia said: “I was fine about leaving in Week Five.
“I was fine because I knew it was my week to go and I’d missed my kids, but I was also gutted too!
“I had so many good moments in the tent, and probably my biscuit box showstopper was my best moment, and the worst moment for me was the week I left.
“My favourite challenge overall was the filled monkey bread, as I love making things I’ve never done before and because now it’s a family favourite.
“My worst challenge overall was chocolate week because it was hard to work with and very temperamental.
“I loved my fellow bakers because they were so helpful and genuine.
“I’ve learned so much and challenged myself – going into Bake Off will be the best thing I’ve ever done!
“I would absolutely encourage other home bakers to apply for the next series.”
Nadia Mercuri is a 41-year-old hairdresser, born to an Italian father and an Indian mother.
When the contestants for the latest series were announced, Nadia commented:
“Never in a million years did I think I would get on The Great British Bake Off.
“So when I found out that I had actually got on the show, I was actually working in my salon.
“Then I had to act normal for the rest of the appointment – I had to hold my scream in!”
The Great British Bake Off continues on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 8 pm, where the remaining bakers will test their skills on pastry.
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