The TV star took a tumble during filming on the set of the hit Channel 4 show and needed hospital checks afterwards

Gloria Hunniford has revealed why she pulled a disappearing act during the judging of her magician’s cake in last night’s Celebrity Bake Off. The Loose Women star vanished at the end of the programme and was described by presenter Alison Hammond as “not feeling very well”.

But the 85-year-old had actually taken what she describes as a “terrible fall” backstage and, as a precaution, was taken to hospital for checks. She told the Mirror she was disappointed to have missed the final judging round, but had no regrets at all about taking part. “I had a terrible fall at the end of the programme, so I never got to finish it,” she explained.

“I thought my dice cake looked pretty good! For me, it looked amazing, considering I’d never baked before. And 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. I don’t think I would have won, but I was really pleased with it.”

One of the reasons she wanted to take part was for her late husband Stephen Way, who died last year(Image: Daily Mirror)

Thankfully the TV veteran was absolutely fine and has appeared on TV many times since the recording of the episode, for Stand Up to Cancer, last summer. Last night millions of viewers saw Ghosts star Jim Howick take the coveted Star Baker apron, thanks largely to his drum-kit showstopper. But there was confusion over what had happened to Gloria.

In an Instagram post to explain her absence, she said: “Hi everybody, I just wanted to say how much I really, really enjoyed being on Bake Off. It was fun, it was interesting meeting Paul, it was a great experience – and, not having baked before, it actually taught me quite a lot. “It was a real shame that I missed being there for the showstopper because, unfortunately, I had a fall and ended up in hospital for some screening – but I was fine.

“And I wanted to say as well that I am a great, great supporter not only of the programme, which I adore, but also of Stand Up to Cancer because not only, sadly, did I lose my gorgeous daughter to cancer but last year, very sadly as well, I lost my husband Stephen. So cancer is very foremost in our family in terms of support. And I think that the programme, and what it does through the programme, is absolutely brilliant.”

Many fans wished her well, with one saying: “To endure the loss of her daughter and husband to cancer is unimaginable. To be transported to the hospital during competition is frustrating. So glad she is doing okay. Her resilience is amazing. Gloria, you are one tough cookie!”

Gloria also wanted to take part in honour of daughter Caron Keating, who died from breast cancer in 2004(Image: Daily Mirror)

The four contestants, who were comedian Jamali Maddix and model Ellie Goldstein alongside Glorian and Jim, were tasked with recreating their “best kept secret” in cake form for the final round. Viewers saw Gloria dedicate her showstopper to her journalist father’s little-known after-hours talent of magic, explaining: “My dad, although he was a newspaper man by day, was a magician by night. I’m trying to do my dad justice, I think he’d love to look down and think ‘oh my gosh, you’re doing that in my memory.”

But, as viewers waited to to hear what judges Paul Hollywood and Caroline Waldegrave thought of her efforts, she vanished into thin air. Presenter Alison Hammond explained that Noel Fielding would take her place for the judging because Gloria was “not feeling very well” and Paul joked that he looked like “the child-catcher” when he put on the top hat Gloria had used as a prop.

In the programme Gloria also enjoyed some funny banter with Hollywood, at one point asking him if he had a fake tan. “No!” he retorted. “I’ve just been to the Maldives.” And when he declared her brandy snaps “gritty”, she made him laugh by saying: “A bit like you.”

Alison told viewers that Gloria was unwell, while Noel stood in for the judging(Image: Mark Bourdillon Love Productions)

Last week the Loose Women star described why she had agreed to take parti the hit Channel 4 show, telling the Mirror that she still misses daughter Caron Keating, who died from breast cancer in 2004, every day. “To lose a child is the worst thing that can happen to you. When you carry a child for nine months and then give birth to that child, and love that child to distraction for whatever number or years or months or weeks that you have it, it’s so tragic when you lose that child.

“So giving something back has a wonderful mending process because you are giving back in the name of the person you loved, who you do love, and have lost.

“It’s very prevalent in my mind, and in my actions all the time. When you do something positive against something so deeply negative, it’s very healing. She was a very special girl, with a great sense of humour. She was the woman in this world that I loved talking to the most.”