Why did Shannon leave The Great British Bake Off? Star speaks out and reveals if she will be back
Shannon left the tent with a paramedicThe Great British Bake Off 2026 is now underway but the first Showstopper of the series was already one person down after Shannon Amy left the tent – but why?
Shannon, 29, was filmed chatting to the cameras in the famous tent as she got stuck into her self-portrait cake.
In a short-sleeved shirt dress, she explained that she was making an “extremely lemony” bake.
But by the time judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson were ready to cast their verdict, Shannon had gone.
Shannon was seen walking away from the tent with a paramedic, who was carrying a large medical bag.
So what happened? Why did Shannon leave The Great British Bake Off? And will she be back next week?
Shannon has now spoken out, so here’s what we know.
Why did Shannon leave The Great British Bake Off?
The brand new series of The Great British Bake Off started on Tuesday night (September 22, 2026). This series has a 12-strong line-up of contestants and marks Nigella Lawson’s debut on the show.
Nigella has been brought in to replace Prue Leith, who stepped down from the Channel 4 show earlier this year.
The contestants first had to whip up Nigella’s Signature Dish – a chocolate stout cake. They then had to make a perfect coffee and walnut cake in the Technical challenge.
Finally, the bakers were asked to make a self-portrait cake for their Showstopper challenge.
Shannon, a project planner, was seen getting to work on hers. She told the camera: “I’m a bit of a zesty girl, so it’s going to be extremely lemony. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, as they say.”
She added: “My partner, when he saw it in practice, said it looked like Tracy Beaker. And I also forgot the eyebrows, so don’t let me forget the eyebrows today!”
But with just one hour to go, host Alison Hammond made an announcement.
Explaining Shannon’s shock exit, she said: “As the bakers push to finish their portrait cakes, the tent is missing one. Unwell, Shannon has had to head home.”
Shannon was filmed leaving the tent, still in her apron, with a paramedic.
Shannon reveals a “dicky tummy” sparked her early GBBO exit
This year also sees the start of brand new GBBO companion show Second Helpings, hosted by Judi Love and Jon Richardson. And Shannon has appeared in the first episode.
She arrived in the studio carrying a cake, saying: “Don’t worry, I’m alive!”
Jon was quick to ask her: “Before we try the cake, what was wrong with you?”
Shannon replied: “It is nothing to worry about. It was very minor and I had to have a little check up. I was all clear, it was all good.”
She then added: “I had a bit of a dicky tummy.”
Shannon also addressed her followers on Instagram once the episode had aired.
“Hello! I cannot actually believe the first episode is out. I hope you all loved it so much,” she said.
“It was so intense and I was literally on the edge of my seat.
“But yes, tune in next week to watch the next episode. And I hope you’ve seen on the little teaser that I am back next week.
“So get ready for it. It’s really exciting.”
Glad you’re okay, Shannon!
Read more: 70 Up viewers make a plea to ITV over concerns for ‘lonely’ Neil Hughes after finale episode
