Bake Off’s Terry Hartill using show to help overcome grief of wife’s death

Great British Bake Off ’s Terry Hartill suffered the secret heartache of losing his wife before appearing on the show.

Much-loved Terry has battled it through the Channel 4 baking show whilst quietly grieving for Joanna.

He lost his beloved wife to cancer a year ago – and family say going on the programme has helped him cope with the heartache.

Mother-in-law Marion Banner told how primary school headteacher Joanna was the “biggest fan” of Terry’s cake and would be so proud of him.

“I really hope he wins and my daughter would want that too,” said Marion.

“She would love that he’s in the show. She would be very, very proud of him.”

Marion told how Terry, 54, was heartbroken after losing his sports fit, hockey playing, wife and mum of their two daughters, to cancer in April last year after a 10-month battle with the illness. She was 52.

“They had been such a happy couple and married for so long and when we lost her. Terry was heartbroken,” said Marion.

“But the show is something nice for him to do and it’s helping him cope with his grief.”

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She went on: “He’s always been into his baking, he’s very creative, and was always making cakes for birthdays, Christmas and all occasions.

“Jo never liked baking, that was his job, but she loved eating his cakes. He’ll be cooking his heart out for her.”

Marion told of her “pleasant surprise” when she found out he was starring on the baking show having kept it a closely guarded secret from all his family and friends.

She said: “I hadn’t got a clue then I looked at a picture in the paper and thought ‘I know that man!’ He didn’t tell any of us.

“It’s wonderful news for our family after all the heartache. He’ll be doing everything he can to stay in it until the end.”

Fans feared for Terry’s future when he was absent Wednesday’s episode – meaning no-one left the competition.

Show bosses said he was ill and would return this week.

Before joining the Bake Off tent with 11 other contestants and presenter Paul Hollywood , Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig , Terry said the contest was his “new journey”.

  • Bake Off returns on C4 on Tuesday at 8pm.

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