Great British Bake Off Champion Expresses Overwhelm and Gratitude Following Victory

Georgie Grasso, a 34-year-old from Carmarthenshire, who was named the champion of The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday evening, described the public’s response to her disclosure about living with ADHD as “incredible.” She stated that she felt “completely overwhelmed” and remained “still on a high” following her victory, making her the first Welsh contestant to win the competition. The paediatric nurse reported that individuals also diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) reached out to her, expressing that they “felt seen.” Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she commented, “It is still one of those topics that people don’t know about. Especially with adult women because for a lot of us it goes undiagnosed for so long and it does completely take over your life.” The mother of three discussed her symptoms during the program and how they impacted her performance in the various challenges. She elaborated, “For me, it just helped me to really focus, it got me a bit in the semi finals because I couldn’t read the instructions. “That’s what I was struggling with and I thought I was done. “But in the final… I had to make a plan and just stick to it, and that’s why with the technical challenge and the showstopper I just flew through it.” The NHS defines ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) as a condition impacting an individual’s behaviour, noting that those affected “can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.” While symptoms often manifest early and most diagnoses occur in children under 12, the NHS indicates that adult diagnoses are also possible. Symptoms might lessen with age, though additional issues such as sleep and anxiety disorders can arise. Adults who suspect they have undiagnosed ADHD are encouraged to consult a GP. For children, behavioural concerns perceived as atypical for their age should be addressed with their teacher, school, or GP. Management for children typically involves educational support, parental guidance, and potentially medication. For adults, the NHS states that medication is frequently the initial treatment, with psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) also proving beneficial. The final competition featured contestants Christiaan, Dylan, and Georgie, who were challenged to prepare scones, assemble a quintessential afternoon tea, and build a hanging tiered celebration cake. Georgie expressed that she had not anticipated winning due to the intense nature of the competition. She remarked, “I don’t know what happened, I think we were practising so much and we were all exhausted. “I had such a tough week the week before, and I thought I’m not having another week of being stress. “I’m just going to enjoy it, and it all just fell into place.” Reflecting on Tuesday’s final, Georgie conveyed that her victory held immense significance, particularly because she had consistently harboured self-doubt. She stated, “I have got this and that wrong with me and think I can’t do it, and you make excuses.” She continued, “For once I thought I am just going to go for it and put my everything into it. Working all hours and I sacrificed time with the kids and the family.” She concluded by saying she was “just so proud of myself.” She further shared, “My heart is racing… and I am already feeling sad that I am not coming back here [to the show] and not seeing everyone.” She added, “The people I have met are going to be best friends for life. This is the best thing I have ever done.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.