Why Did Tasha Leave ‘The Great British Baking Show’ “Chocolate Week” Early?

The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week” notoriously always seems to fall on the hottest day of the year, ramping up temperatures in the Bake Off tent to the point that chocolate melts and nerves frazzle. However, this year’s installment of The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week” on Netflix also managed to fell one of the most popular and talented bakers in the 2023 season.

**Spoilers for The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week,” now streaming on Netflix.**

27-year-old Tasha Stones, who has already won back-to-back Star Baker honors and who happens to be the first deaf contestant in Great British Baking Show history, had to leave “Chocolate Week” during the Technical Challenge. She became so overheated that medics advised her to leave the tent, where she revealed to host Alison Hammond that she had been suffering from a “massive migraine” the night before. “I thought I’d feel better this morning, but—” a “gutted” Tasha says and signs. “I can see you’re not well,” Hammond replies. “Go home, sweetheart. Go rest. Come on, I’ll walk you back.”

Later, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding conferred with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith mid-way through the episode, Hollywood said, “Tasha, unfortunately, had to go.” Then, after a pause, he added, “She will be with us next week.” Meaning that Tasha was so unwell she had to literally take Alison’s advice to go home and get some rest.

So what exactly happened to Tasha Stones during The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week”? Why did Tasha have to leave The Great British Baking Show early? And why is it possible her early exit was a blessing in disguise? Here’s everything you need to know about why Tasha left The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week.”

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Why Did Tasha Leave The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week” Early?

Don’t worry, Tasha fans! Two time Star Baker winner has NOT been eliminated from The Great British Baking Show. It seems a combination of the heat in the tent and her “massive migraine” made her too unwell to compete in the tent. According to Alison Hammond, she was extremely upset that she could not continue. It should also be noted that medics were the ones who both advised Tasha to leave the tent and told her that she was not well enough to return for the rest of the Technical Challenge.

The official UK Instagram account shared an almost prophetic quote from Tasha this week. Before the challenges began, we saw Tasha say in an interview: “Chocolate’s the thing that I reach for when I’m stressed or upset. The things you love the most, hurt you the most.” It’s unclear if she was interviewed before or after her medical emergency.

Fans commented their support for Tasha in the comments of the post. One even said, “so sorry that you weren’t 100%. A fellow migraine sufferer sending you hugs & love and swerving the chocolate x”

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Tasha has not clarified exactly what ailment shortened her time in the Bake Off tent during The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week,” but she did post a reel/recipe on Instagram revealing the sweet treat she made to snack on during this week’s episode: pistachio and raspberry blondies.

Ironically, Tasha’s dramatic early exit from The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week” might have a silver lining. Because she didn’t do so well during the Signature Challenge — perhaps because she was feeling unwell? — Paul and Prue decided that no one should be kicked off The Great British Baking Show this week. The bottom two bakers this week were Cristy Sharp and Saku Chandrasekara, and since Cristy did well with her Showstopper, the axe likely would have fell on fan fave Saku. (Thank goodness that didn’t happen!)

So Tasha is fine, Saku is safe, and The Great British Baking Show “Chocolate Week” didn’t end in tragedy. The down side of all this? Two bakers will be eliminated next week, which is the dreaded The Great British Baking Show “Pastry Week.”