Gloria Hunniford forced to quit Celebrity Bake Off after devastating hospital dash

star Gloria Hunniford suffered a "terrible fall" backstage during the filming of last year, meaning she never got the chance to finish the show with the scrumptious four layer chocolate cake she'd been so excited about presenting to the judges. The theme of the competition had been especially poignant for the 85-year-old star as she lost her daughter Caron to breast cancer in 2004.

She'd been just 41 at the time that she died. Meanwhile, Gloria would have honoured her late mother too, by showcasing her decades-old signature cake recipe on the show. She recently spoke out on the heart-breaking accident which prevented her from showing a judging panel including and Paul Hollywood her prided creation. "I had a terrible fall at the end of the programme, so I never got to finish it," she lamented to confirming she'd been rushed to hospital for a check-up afterwards due to fears for her health.

Gloria had originally gone head to head with the likes of 's and Capital FM radio host , who is the son of Spandau Ballet star .

In the end, it wasn't to be - but she still filmed some footage before the accident and remains proud of the show-stopping "dice cake" she would have unveiled.

"I thought [it] looked pretty good! For me, it looked amazing, considering I'd never baked before," she exclaimed of the four layer chocolate cake, accented with golden syrup and vanilla.

"The theme was inspired by my dad - it was my mother's recipe, which I really liked. I practiced it at home and gave it to my son for his birthday, so it really tied in with the family theme."

She admitted that she doubted she could have won the overall competition, despite glowing praise from the judges when they tried to assess her creation without her.

Alison introduced the cake as she clarified that Gloria had "wanted us to carry on anyway", before lamenting: "Such a shame Gloria wasn't feeling very well and wasn't able to tell the story."

Paul praised: "I like the concept. The concept is being executed really well."

Meanwhile, Gloria never stopped showing her support for the cancer charity, confirming: "I am a great, great supporter not only of the programme, which I adore but also of Stand Up to Cancer... not only, sadly, did I lose my gorgeous daughter to cancer but last year, very sadly as well, I lost my husband Stephen. Cancer is very foremost in our family."

She added on Instagram ahead of her appearance on the show on April 13: "My lovely late mum was an incredible baker, and she'd have been amazed that I'm on The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off.

"Her baking skills didn't exactly rub off on me - but I held my own (I think)! And obviously this is all in aid of a cause very close to my heart."