It was the end of the road for Lesley Holloway on The Great British Bake Off as she became the eighth contestant eliminated on Tuesday's episode.

The hairdresser, 59, narrowly missed out on a spot in the top five during meringue week as judge Paul Hollywood complained her showstopper was 'too chewy'.

Lesley, from Kent, made a Vacherin glacé in the style of a wedding cake, inspired by her daughter's upcoming wedding.

Judge Prue Leith praised the flavour of the meringue but Paul complained about its texture. 

With most of the contestants getting positive assessments for their meringues, Lesley was ultimately sent home.

She took it on the chin however, telling the camera: 'Do you know what, I knew it was coming. It was like ripping the plaster off. 

'It's been a dream of mine to do this. I've got over half way. I've had a blast.'

Lesley had expressed concern during the making of the showstopper that she may not have enough time to make the dessert to her liking but was encouraged to push through by co-host Alison Hammond.  

After her elimination, Prue said: 'She's a remarkable woman. She's my ideal baker, she has fun with it.'

Meanwhile, Toby Littlewood was this week's star baker after he blew the judges away with his mango sorbet meringue.

Taking part in Bake Off had been a dream of Lesley's for many years.

'I never dreamt that I would be good enough to get into the Bake Off tent. I have applied a few times before but never actually thought I would get through!' she said.

'I got the call from one of the team at 9.30 on Friday while working in the Hair Dressing Salon and I had to say I was going for a walk round the car park so I could speak to her privately.

'I really thought at first that I hadn't made it and she was letting me down gently but then she said that I was one of the 12 this year. 

'I got emotional as I knew my Dad would have been very proud and I felt very overwhelmed, excited and a little bit scared!' 

'As a baker my strengths are traditional home baking and cooking,' she added.

'I love making pies, pastries and cakes and making them look beautiful and tempting. I am good at experimenting with new ideas and cooking with different recipes, creating new versions by adding new ingredients. 

'My weakness is not believing in myself enough to trust my gut instinct.' 

The Great British Bake Off continues next Tuesday at 9pm on Channel 4.