COLLAPSING gateaus and dodgy Madeira cakes made sure the first episode of this year's Great British Bake Off was just as dramatic as fans had hoped.  

Accountant Dorret Conway, 53, succumbed to tears during the showstopper challenge after her attempt at a Black Forest Gateau collapsed in front of her and we bid goodbye to tattooed Stu Henshall after his 'not a Madeira', Jamaican-inspired Madeira cake, failed to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.   

Throughout it all was Bracknell's very own baking star Alvin Magallanes who steered through the tricky challenges despite some sinking figs.

The 37-year-old, who works at Heatherwood Hospital, came second in the technical challenge but was pipped to post as star baker by Scottish lass Marie. 

A massive 9.3m tuned in to watch the first episode, 43 per cent of the TV audience last night. 

Tweeting after the show aired, Alvin said: "Wow! That was awesome! Thanks everyone for your support, it brought back so many memories and just heartbroken for my buddy Stu."

Alvin is one of the favourites to win this year's series of Bake Off and here at the News we'll be supporting him every doughy step of the way!