Why Did Jeff Leave ‘The Great British Baking Show’?

Last week, I opined that the Season 12 opener of The Great British Baking Show, was “giving reality TV mayhem.” Well, this week’s all-new episode of The Great British Baking Show on Netflix, “Biscuit Week,” went fully off the rails like no other Bake Off episode before. Once again, the show started off as placid and lovely as ever…until the franchise’s first ever American contestant demolished the Bake Off tent’s usual routine.

**Spoilers for The Great British Baking Show Season 12 Episode 2 “Biscuit Week,” now streaming on Netflix.**

In last week’s season premiere of The Great British Baking Show, sweet Bronx-born Jeff had to leave the tent early due to illness. That meant he was only around for the Signature Challenge before having to sit the rest of the week out. Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith took pity on the bakers, and used Jeff’s absence to justify their decision to not eliminate anyone in the show’s very first week.

Jeff returned to the Bake Off tent for Week 2, “Biscuit Week,” but soon fell into a similar holding pattern. He did fine in the Signature Challenge, but then left the tent to visit the show’s medics. Apparently he was still feeling under the weather and was unsure he could continue. While he initially stuck around for the Technical Challenge, he didn’t put in any effort trying to bake twelve perfect peppermint cream biscuits. He was lightheaded and only seemed to have the energy to sip tea. Before time was called, Jeff had thrown in the towel.

“I’ve had enough. I just can’t do it,” Jeff says as he walks out of the tent.

Host Alison Hammond soon finds him and asks, “You alright, Jeff?”

“Yeah, I’m done.”

“Are you done?” she repeats back.

“Yeah,” he says and the camera cuts to baker Mike asking someone, “He’s ‘gone’ gone? Oh, bless him.”

Alison gives Jeff a hug and says, “You tried, mate.” And that’s that.

Jeff just…quit The Great British Baking Show in the middle of Week 2.

What then followed was more mayhem, from poor Illiyin fainting at the end of the Showstopper to Dylan falling off his stool. This season of The Great British Baking Show is shaping up to be the most chaotic one yet — but why exactly did Jeff leave Bake Off? Here’s what we know…

"The Bake Off has been an amazing and challenging experience of a lifetime." – Jeff. pic.twitter.com/MyJE7cK05p

— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 1, 2024

Why Did Jeff Leave The Great British Baking Show?

It’s the question every The Great British Baking Show fan wants answered: why did 67-year-old Jeff leave the tent in the middle of “Biscuit Week”? He was simply too unwell to proceed.

As others pointed out, the stress of competing on The Great British Baking Show is immense even when you’re in the best of health. Add dizziness and the general icky feeling of battling a bug, and you’re not going to be able to put forward your best bakes.

According to The Great British Baking Show fave Rahul Mandal’s IG, Jeff is not on social media. Nevertheless, the Bronx baker did share a farewell message with the show which Love Productions shared via the official British X (or Twitter) account for the series:

“The Bake Off has been an amazing and challenging experience of a lifetime. Although I was not able to continue for long, I had the pleasure of meeting all of the incredible bakers from Series 15. What a wonderful group of people and they were also excellent bakers. The production team are the nicest, most hard working people you will ever come across. They are so supportive and positive. All the very best, always, Jeff, with every good wish!”

Jeff, via @BritishBakeOff

So all’s well that ends well. Jeff is happy, safe, and sound (and hopefully still pumping iron). The ten remaining bakers in the tent will tackle “Bread Week” in due course.

The Great British Baking Show may have bid Jeff a fond farewell this week, but we have a feeling that we won’t ever forget the first ever American contestant’s strange and short run on the show.