Giuseppe Dell'Anno has been named as the winner of this year's The Great British Bake Off, beating off competition from Crystelle and Chigs in the three-challenge final.
In taking the title, the 45-year-old becomes the first Italian to win the popular Channel 4 competition series in what judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith described as the closest final to date.
The final challenge required the top three to come up with their menu for a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, which saw Giuseppe serve up a chocolate and hazelnut dough shaped like a giant mushroom, mango and passionfruit panna cottas, plus asparagus and pea-filled choux pastries shaped like a caterpillar.
Speaking after the result was announced, Giuseppe said: "There are no words, I am speechless for once. All I can think of is the reaction from my mum and dad. The fact is that everything I have done to deserve this comes from his heritage, it's the best thank you note I can possibly send him. He is going through a very bad time health-wise, so I think this is going to be a great boost.
"I don't say often or lightly that I am proud of what I do, but in this case I am really proud of what I have done. It's unbelievable!"
He added: "I feel it's been a great year for Italy. I truly can't believe it or take it in, this has made me so incredibly happy to be a Britalian. Dell'Anno is my surname which translates in English to 'of the year' – and I feel this has certainly has been my year."
Giuseppe will appear for an interview on Bake Off: An Extra Slice this Friday at 8pm on Channel 4.
Neil Wilkes
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