Great British Bake Off’s Extra Slice host and all-round funny man Tom Allen shocked fans this week with a heart-breaking post.
Taking to Instagram the star shared the sad news of his beloved Dad Paul’s sudden death from a heart attack.
Sharing a photo of himself with his Dad and brother in happier times, the comedian wrote, “I’m so sad to report that my wonderful dad has died. It was a total shock. He was with mum and he had a heart attack last night. He grew up in one room in Penge and worked hard every day of his life. He said things like ‘You can never run out of love’ and ‘Always go into everything with a good heart’. He was also inclined to write ‘shove it’ in a birthday card".
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Tom explained his reasons for sharing the news, revealing, "It feels like part of the grieving process that I wanted to tell you: He was a wonderful kind man and we love him very much. Here he is on his 80th earlier this year with me and my brother."
Tom's famous friends rushed to offer their condolences, with Alan Carrwriting "Oh Tom, so sorry for you. Love to you and your family ❤️❤️" and Dermot O'Leary commenting "Tom, so sorry for your loss x".
Singer Alexandra Burke wrote, "My darling I’m so sorry to hear. I’m so so sorry. Sending you and your family so much love and prayers xxxx" and fellow GBBO star Paul Hollywood added "So sorry Tom x".
CHECK OUT: Great British Bake Off winners Where are they now?
The Great British Bake Off winners: where are they now? (slider)
Edd Kimber then
The first ever GBBO was a far cry from the show of today, with only ten contestants competing across just six weeks. There wasn't even a weekly Star Baker. In the end, former debt collector Edd Kimber (far left) was crowned the winner.
Edd Kimber now
Following his big win, Edd has released three cookbooks and also runs food blog The Boy Who Bakes. He's even worked at world-renowned restaurant Le Manoir and regularly contributes to food magazines including BBC Good Food, Delicious and Waitrose Kitchen.
Jo Wheatley then
Mum-of-three Jo Wheatley triumphed over fellow finalists Holly Bell and Mary-Anne Boermans in 2011.
Jo Wheatley now
Jo has released two cookbooks, A Passion For Baking and Home Baking, written a column for Sainsburys magazine and launched her own cookery school from her Essex home since winning Bake Off.
John Whaite then
Series three winner John Whaite went into the final as an underdog but baked his way to success and took home the trophy after impressing Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.
John Whaite now
John has been VERY busy since winning the show in 2012. Not only has he gained his patisserie diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, released four cookery books and judged ITV cookery competition Chopping block, but John also opened his own cookery school called John Whaite's Kitchen. He even returned to his pre-Bake Off career in law in 2018 when he began working as a barrister.
Frances Quinn then
Frances was crowned Bake Off winner in 2013 after creating a show-stopping three-tier wedding cake in the final.
Frances Quinn now
Frances released recipe book Quintessential Baking in 2015 and has made a number of TV and radio appearances on shows like This Morning. In 2019, she hit the headlines when she was banned from her local Waitrose after allegedly being caught shoplifting.
Nancy Birtwhistle then
Nancy beat 2014 favourite Richard Burr after creating a miniature version of Paris' Moulin Rouge.
Nancy Birtwhistle now
Nancy runs her own baking blog where she regularly shares recipes with fans. She also travels the country for the many food demonstrations she does.
Nadiya Hussain then
Perhaps one of the most famous Bake Off contestants of all time, Nadiya won the hearts of the British public in 2015 with her incredible bakes.
Nadiya Hussain now
Nadiya has been hella successful since winning GBBO - she's hosted several TV shows for the BBC, released a cook book, a children's book AND a novel and has even baked a birthday cake for the Queen. In 2017, she was named by Debrett's as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK.
Candice Brown then
Candice was known for her lipstick choices just as much as she was for her bakes during her time on the show.
Candice Brown now
Just like many Bake Off winners before her, Candice has released her own recipe book Comfort: Delicious Bakes and Treats. As well as running her own pub in Bedfordshire, she regularly appears on shows like This Morning and Loose Women and competed in Dancing On Ice in 2018 but was eliminated first.
Sophie Faldo then
Sophie was the first Bake Off winner to be crowned after the show's big move from the BBC to Channel 4 but her win was spoiled when new judge Prue Leith accidentally tweeted the news hours before the final aired. Oops!
Sophie Faldo now
Sophie admitted that she struggled with life in the limelight after she won the show and mainly avoids the public eye. She does still share her passion for baking on Instagram though and is training to be a stunt woman.
Rahul Mandal then
Rahul beat the odds (remember when the glass smashed into his mixture in the final?) to bake his way to victory and became a national treasure in the process.
Rahul Mandal now
Rahul has returned to his job as an engineering researcher at the University of Sheffield since winning back off but still shares his baking creations with fans on Instagram.
David Atherton
David made history last year when he became the first Bake Off champion to have never won Star Baker. Since then, he's begun writing a weekly cookery column for The Guardian and released his first cookbook, aptly titled My First Cookbook.
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The star was famously very close to his father and referenced both parents in his stand-up, joking about the ups and downs of still living home, before moving out earlier this year.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on her ITV show, he explained he had moved back to his childhood home initially for a short period, but it turned out his parents were such a “great source of material” for jokes, he didn't want to leave.
Speaking about his recent move in a zoom call from his new home, he joked, "I’ve moved out, they’ve thrown me out!
"No. I’ve moved out, I’ve got my own place." Gesturing at the plants behind him he said, "I don't live at a garden centre, if that's what it looked like. I just basically grabbed all the plastic plants I brought from IKEA and shoved them in the back of this frame to make it look like I have furniture."
Tom went on to admit he still hadn’t bought any furniture, saying "I have no furniture, I just have a bed, so I'm basically lying down or standing up, it's exhausting!"